[i][color=silver][h1][center]Prologue[/center][/h1][/color][/i] Large iron gates opened to the thunderous sounds of galloping horses. Sat atop their backs were wounded men, the dying and the dead. An officer wearing the insignia of the Sol Protectorate came forward from the bunch and shouted orders, then the man dismounted and promptly collapsed to the floor. Guards rushed over to him, but he was gone, in his hand a blood-stained letter addressed to the Emperor himself. A little while later a nervous messenger pronounced himself to the Emperor who sat upon his gilded throne. He told of what happened at the gate not an hour ago, and the letter that was addressed to him. The emperor, an old man now, straightened himself and beckoned him forward. The messenger sat in his hand the officer’s insignia and letter and bowed. The old Emperor opened that blood-stained letter and read; [i]Westgate fallen. Enemy is too great in numbers. Sol Protectorate are routed or dead. I am sorry father, I have failed. Going to hold off the enemy, allow the wounded to escape. Entrusting this letter with Captain Obrien, a good man. Goodbye Father. Tell my sister and wife that I loved them. Tell my daughter that… she is my shining jewel. [right]Your Faithful Son, Prince Lucius[/right][/i] The Emperor slumped into his chair, crumpling the letter in his hand. He took a deep breath as the light in the room dimmed from a passing cloud. He then looked at the messenger with a mournful expression and with a somber tone stated, “You may go my child, go be with your family. Dark days are ahead.” [center]-----[/center] [i][color=silver][h1][center]The Arrival of the Scorned[/center][/h1][/color][/i] Two years ago in the far western reaches of the Empire, a seed sprouted in the womb of the Ebony Mountain. A black mountain standing apart from its siblings of grey, long as it held superstition in mortal hearts. What came next was horrific. Great tendrils of dark green vines shot up from the ground surrounding the mountain in pestilence and decay. From these malignant roots came vile creatures- the Scorned. They are of rotting flesh and twisted growths. They care not for anything but spreading their disease across the land. So, the war began, between the peoples of the Empire and the new threat that united them all. Never had humans, orcs, and Fae fight side by side as brothers in arms. But even this great unity did little but halt the advance of the vines. In the two short years of the war, the Empire has been steadily losing ground as the vines grew from the mountain. Pushing the scorned further and further into the heartland. The fall of Westgate is the latest blow, these are now desperate times as the enemy can come forward with resistance only from the men that halt them. This has prompted the Emperor to call for extreme measures, to call for outside help as his military forces struggle and to let loose the Artifacts of Dramoria the Golden. Now, it's time to strike the heart of the Scorn itself, one final attempt to stop the Scorned from advancing any further. And he’ll need adventurers to do it. [center]-----[/center] [center][center][i][b]World Overview[/b][/i][/center] The Empire of Dramon has long since stood as the pinnacle of cultural achievement and prosperity on the continent of Eon. There was no need for petty wars or rivalry between other kingdoms, because they all bent the knee centuries ago in the Age of Strife to Dramoria, first Emperor of a united Eon. He was a warrior out of necessity, a feared by many. The means of his unification have long since been forgotten by the common folk, but the nobility have long memories. He had used the fabled artifacts of the Gods, weapons of power and jewelry that bestowed great gifts, as means to conquer. Those artifacts were then put away, safeguarded by the Emperors who would follow in Dramoria’s shadow. They were to valuable to openly flaunt and a symbol of great power, keeping most of the nobility in check throughout the Empire. Now with the Empire collapsing, what little choice is there but to use them? [hider=Races] [b]Humans[/b]; Self-explanatory. Dominant people of the Empire and can be found throughout but are heavily centered around the heartland. Come in variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Creation tip: Humans are talented at many things but never the best. They are however, quite determined when in the right mindset and have always been known for their adaptability. Magic works much the same in their society, some have it and others don’t. [b]Elvkiin[/b]- 1 spot left! (Note, Only two Elvkiin will be allowed on a first come first serve basis.) Once found in the dense forests of the North, these people lived amidst the great Evertrees. They worshipped these giant evergreens as their Gods and held this faith to their very souls as far back as anyone could remember. It was known that to bring unwanted harm to an Evertree, was certain death. But fate played them a cruel hand, five decades ago. The Navorus Plague sowed death across the land, and for the isolationist Elvkiin, it was their doom. The Evertrees now stand silently over the North, their people long gone. However, not all hope is lost. There remains a rumor of a small band of Elvkiin who survived but live in exile. They say they can never return to their home for fear of the plague. Those who remember Elvkiin would probably indicate that they were a fair people, above average in appearances and well skilled in hunting. Creation Tip: Elvkiin are incredibly nimble on their feet and are well accustomed to vanishing among trees. They employed many skills, but old tales state that when an Elvkiin is always born with a bow. They aren't very strong compared to the other races and magic was a rare occurrence within their blood. [b]Orcs[/b]; The orcish people are found in Eastern parts of the Empire. They are well known for their great works of art within their great cities of alabaster. Whether it be with stone, paint or clay, the Orcish arts have a primal beauty to them that is well admired and sought after throughout the Empire. At one point in time, many would claim them to be a brutal, warlike society but the legend states that Dramoria taught them to be better, and now they stand equal with all others. They range in appearances and usually try to match the trends set by their nobility. Creation Tip: To the orcs who follow the old ways, and not the artisans of today, they pride themselves on being strong and cunning on the battlefield. Their strength is legendary, but they lack subtlety, and are not very fast. There is a magical presence in their society, but usually only the extremely wealthy or innately talented can practice. [b]Semper Fae[/b]; The Fae are on odd race, not restrained down by normal cultural customs or the ever-changing political structure of the Empire. They never truly die, but at the end of their long lives, are instead reborn in their gardens of Yold. They despise conflict and shy away from violence unless threatened. They much prefer to give then take and most won’t hesitate to help those in need. The Semper Fae are well known across Eon for their magnificent gardens and their ability to wield an assortment of magics. Their land and its beauty or currently under siege by the Scorned and they are losing badly. [hider=The Rebirth of Semper Fae] The exotic looking Semper Fae have roots that go well before recorded history and perhaps even beyond the first days of man. They come in many different appearances and can change from rebirth to rebirth. The most basic of the Fae take on looks that mimic plant life, and their dazzling colors are a thing of beauty. As a Fae lives, and relives again and again, they can change their physical appearances with some older Fae looking like gnarled trees and the younger ones more akin to single flowers. One thing is known for certain, the Semper Fae defy mortal logic. Once grown from the Yold tree, the Fae nurture and tend to their offspring. Gender is fluid among them, and a new Fae can switch at each Rebirth if they choose too. The Semper Fae don't really die in the terms that other mortals use. To them, it's all about renewing themselves, much like plants do every season. Except the Fae can go for years without needing to be reborn, it's all a matter of prospective to them and a whole lot of patience. Their very life force is drawn from magic and it provides them much needed energy. They don't have to eat, but sleep is a necessity and allows a little magic to seep back into them. During the time outside of the Gardens, their energy will slowly dwindle away as they use it up and they will grow older in appearance. If a Semper Fae does not renew itself after having spent all its energy, they turn to soil. They can still die by normal means, but it would take a very cruel man to kill a Fae or, uncaring monsters... [/hider] Creation Tip: Focuses on Magic and ranged abilities, not very good with swords and other melee weapons. They are also quite nimble, and some even waver in a strong wind. [/hider] [hider=Locations] [b]Dramon[/b]- Capital City of the Empire, located in the very center of Eon. Populations estimates are well over a million inhabitants. Well known for its monuments to Dramoria and architecture feats. [b]The Ebony Mountain[/b]- Located in the Lunar mountain range in the far western fringes of the Empire. Well known for being black as night amidst its brothers of grey and white. Also known as the source for the corruption known as Scorn. [b]Cidanol[/b]- A major port town to the far south sitting on the Sea of Etherial. Known for its pleasant temperatures, clear waters and tasty seafood. [b]Crepix[/b]- What use to be simple tents made from animal hides, is now a rapidly growing city of stone. The orcs have been steadily building Crepix for centuries, and its architectural beauty almost beats Dramon. [b]Yoldanland[/b]- The Fae don't really have a home city, but a land they call homage to their God. Within it lays the fabled Gardens of Yold and the secret to the Fae's immortality. It is currently under siege by the Scorned, and they are slowly turning it into a mockery of life. [b]Evermore Forest[/b]- Once home to the Wood Elves, now only the trees remain. Quiet and uncaring. [b]Northgate[/b]- The first gate founded by Dramoria following the Age of Strife. He decided all his gates were to be built on high ground and warded by powerful enchantments. The gates act as a base of operations for the Imperial army and they keep a close watch on the areas that the other races call home. Ever since the Elvkiin died out, Northgate has been understaffed, mainly to keep the areas free of bandits and watch over the few towns in the area. [b]Eastgate[/b]- The second gate to be founded by Dramoria to keep a watch on the orcs who call Crepix home. [b]Southgate[/b]- The third gate to be founded by Dramoria to watch the Sea's of Etherial. [b]Westgate[/b]- The final gate to be founded by Dramoria to keep note of the Fae. Emperor Dramoria knew that they would never revolt against his rule, or anyone for that matter. It was also understaffed before the Scorned hit, but once the threat was known it was filled to capacity but now lays overrun. [/hider] [hider=Magic] Magic is a loose term used by scholars and those who practice it to give voice to their inner nature. Magical abilities come in many assortments, but you must be born with the innate ability to practice it, otherwise you would never be able too. Once found to have the ability to practice magic, a person is whisked away for training in the Imperial Academy of Magicks or IAM. There, students are given a choice to practice their abilities for military use or for less strenuous activities. Those found to have exceptional magical abilities, are given over to the Templar Order of Arcanum and seldom seen again. It usually takes a lifetime of practice and study to be able to use magic effectively, but the option to leave IAM, is given to students after five years of study. Most are pressured into joining the military. Types of magic vary but there are a few taboos to the Empire. One mainly being dark magic and the other less known, soul magic. [/hider] [hider=The Artifacts of Dramoria] Little is known about the nature of these weapons and trinkets, but one thing resides over all of the rumors. They are of power. Dramoria used them to unite the world under his banner and then fear of their capabilities kept the other races in check. After a time, as the first generation of the empire fell to dust, they were mostly forgotten by the common folk, but the nobility have long memories. Nowadays, they sit in a vault waiting to be used. Once the weapons are received, they will begin to bond with their wielder over a certain amount of time. Experience and status won't matter for the bond to take place. Its how you use your artifact that matters, the more you use it the more the bond will strengthen. Eventually it will be at full strength and capable of doing great feats. All of the items are very pervasive in their own way. Power has long been known to cause many a mortal to crave more for themselves, and as the bond between the wielder and artifact grows, so to does the artifacts influence. It's hold upon a wielder will deepen as the bond grows and if the bond is completed, it will take a great amount of effort to let go. If you can let go at all that is. Because the artifacts haven't been used since Dramoria, the negative influence they have upon a wielder is unknown. [hider=The Artifacts] Given to Val. The Sun Sword, Sanctity. A longsword, etched with glyphs and gilded with gold on the hilt. The pommel is a ruby wrapped in the visage of Solus. Once wielded by Dramoria himself, the sun sword is depicted throughout the Empire on the statues of Dramoria. However, its true power has long been forgotten. The sword has a natural affinity for that which is holy, and burns away the corrupt and unjust. Those who have a heart unworthy will themselves be burned. Given to Kean. Amulet of the Lying Cat A jade statuette in the likeness of a cat. It is fastened by a simple leather cord, and, when willed, summons forth a pale green, hairless cat the size of a large dog, with jet-black eyes, like shining lumps of coal that smoulder short trails of emerald smoke. It can tell when someone is lying and informs the wearer thusly. Its combat capabilities are nothing extraordinary, for now, and the other affects of the amulet, if there are any, are unknown. Given to Neil. The Moon Shield, Serenity, is a round buckler shield, the rim, handle, and back-plating are made of silver. Embedded in the shield itself is a sapphire mirror. The full extant of its powers are unknown, but legend says that its reflection reveals deception and that it grows more powerful under the light of the moon. Given to Thrace Berserker plate. This armor is simple in appearance, black plates formed to fit in a way to completely cover it's wearer's body. Aside from being incredibly resilient the armor is known to enhance it's wearer's abilities while dulling their sense of pain, allowing them to stand even against overwhelming odds or creatures whose abilities would normally far exceed their own. Though as with most of Dramoria's other artifacts it's full capabilities have been lost to history. Given to Zina The Book of Harow, "The Dark Apostle". Pulled from the Emperor's deepest vaults is an eldritch tome filled with secrets, made long ago by the magical genius and religious madman Harow Archendale. Filled with pages upon pages of arcane scripts and diagrams that seem to shift and change on their own, the book is said to hold a library's worth of secrets, from the mundane to the legendary. It is even believed that it holds the mad soul of Harow himself; magically bound into its eternally changing pages; who screams his secrets at anyone with a mind to listen and not be driven insane. [/hider] [/hider] [hider=Religions] The Pantheon of The Stars is the main religion of the Empire. Worshiped by Dramoria himself and continued on through the faithful servants of the Church for as long as anyone can remember. The Pantheon consists of many Gods and Goddesses, chief among them is The Sun God Solus, father of all creation, he gives life but also takes it away. His wife is the Moon Goddess Luna, Watcher of the Dark and all its denizens. There are many other deities in the Pantheon and they will be explored later. [hider=The Pantheon of the Stars] Solus, the Eternal - The Father of Creation, he created everything, or so the legends go. He is the chief deity of the Pantheon and for good reason. He came into existence first, and created the planets in the sky, the twinkling stars in the deep blackness of space and life itself. He shaped mankind in his image, which is why they revere him so greatly. Solus giveth life and he can take it as well. His rays of sun give plants and mankind energy but when he is angry, his rays become spiteful. His domains are of Sunlight, Life and Power. His symbol is that of a yellow sun. Luna, the Watcher - Mother of the Darkness and wife to Solus. They are opposites in nature but complement each other. Without one, balance would be skewed, and the world would ruin or so sayeth the church. Luna presides over the night and all its denizens who call it home. Her domains are of Moonlight, Darkness and Balance. Her symbol is that of a silver owl. Viridi, The Splendid - Where Solus created sentient life, Viridi kept himself busy with the plants and animals across Eon. He is the father of all beast and wild place untouched by mortal hands. His domains are of Animals, Nature and Beauty. His symbol is that of an Evergreen. Many Semper Fae worship Viridi as their own god. Alidia, the Beauty - Alidia is the fairest Goddess upon the pantheon but also known for her cruelty. She cares deeply for mortal life in all of its forms but takes it away when its time is spent. There is a beauty to death, where many might find horror, there is only the quiet peace of drawing one’s last breath. Alidia cares for those who have died but she is a sweet mistress who does not take sides. Her domain is of Death. Her symbol is of a skull, wrapped in flowers. More to come. [/hider] Though the Pantheon of The Stars is the main religion, there are those that hold onto their ancestor’s old ways of life, before the coming of the Empire. It is common to see other Gods worshiped but it is not against the law, only frowned upon much to the Church's dismay. [/hider] [hider=Character Sheet] Picture or Description- Name- Age- Gender- Race- Personality(optional)- Backstory- (minimum of two paragraphs, more is welcome. Try to incorporate any strengths and weaknesses your character has) Magical abilities- (If any list here. Can have up to 3, for example; Fire magic, healing magic, light magic, etc) Combat abilities- (If any list here. Can have up to 3, for example; Bow mastery, Sword mastery, Enhanced Stamina, etc) Artifact of Dramoria- (Optional. You may create your own artifact of Dramoria for use when you receive it in the RP. Be aware that its full potential will not be available right away. You will have to bond with the object, but it will still be stronger then any item you have used before. Motive- (Why would you answer the call of the Emperor? Is it for money? Fame? Glory? Or to do the right thing and help the planet survive?) [/hider] [hider=Rules] 1. Follow all rules required by the site itself 2. Your characters can be experienced as you want, or not at all. Just don't Godmod and we'll be good. 3. Power levels can also vary, some races are inherently different then others and such have different traits. They also have flaws, plus your own character will have flaws I'm sure. 4. I'd like this to be somewhat mature, and dark themes could be very present but nothing over the top. 5. Romance is encouraged but not being forced, just keep it pg-13 IC. 6. Feel free to ask me questions, I like to be a very accommodating person. 7. You may also have two characters if you desire, but no more then that. 7. Most importantly have fun! That's what this site is for right? [/hider][/center]