[s]This is sort of just a rough draft for now, but essentially you will be creating a person on Earth who will be chosen by one of the Greek Gods/Goddesses. They won't know they are chosen at first, but will suddenly have one extraordinary ability that relates to their God/Goddess and things will become more clear when Hermes' chosen person finds them. (I will be playing that person so that I can guide our ragtag group along the way, along with one other character just for the fun of it.) I will lead our group into tough situations and the like, where everyone's abilities will come in handy. When they prove themselves useful they may be granted one additional ability and so on, but not a bunch of new powers all at once. I'm going to add more information about the cultures of each kingdom, which will affect how each group member will get along with the others as well as their back story, but below is the main premise for now. Hopefully there's some interest for it out there! :] [/s] RP Here: https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/171243-quest-for-gaias-heart-greek-mythology-rp/ooc [hr] [hr] [center][h1] The Earth is dying.[/h1][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/P6C7ZVB.jpg[/img][/center] It has seemed that way for decades, possibly even centuries, but it has always been so slow that most mortals have simply gone numb to the planets ever fading radiance. There are only few ancient enough remember a world vibrant with life. However, something has happened recently that no one can ignore or brush off. Winter has long been over according to the calendar, but the returning vegetation hasn't lasted with the Spring season. The great kingdom of Eredel once had thick forest sprawled across their entire territory, yet most of the trees have begun dropping every last leaf as they move closer to Summer. The strong rivers of Haventis have grown weak and some have even dried up completely. Vespora grows hotter each day and what little farmland Adland has won't grow enough crops to feed everyone. The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus have heard the prayers of millions calling for help and thus they must act, yet they are forbidden from taking physical form on Earth. Zeus has, however, permitted them to each pick a one being of their choice to grant special abilities to in order to find a solution to this ever growing problem. It all seems a game to Zeus, seeing as he knows the answer, but the Gods will play along. They are tasked with guiding these mortals through visions and whatever means they see fit. Hermes, the messenger God, has been given the responsibility of roping each of these chosen individuals together to form a quest to save the Earth. Zeus permits Hermes to tell this group one helpful bit of information; The key is to find Gaia's Heart. An old forgot legend says that eons ago, when the Titan Cronus overthrew his father from the throne, he also locked away his mother Gaia far away and left her there to die. Finding her could save the planet. This group of heroes will face things they have never seen or experienced before, realizing that the world has so many magical wonders that they had been previously sheltered from. Although they have the Gods helping them along the way, they must prove themselves worthy and overcome many obstacles - including getting along with their counterparts. [hr] [hr] [center][hider=Map][img]https://i.imgur.com/fB9tWAy.png[/img][/hider][/center] [center][h1] The Kingdoms [/h1][/center] [center][hider=Eredel] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/xOb0OJP.jpg[/img][/center] The Eredel Kingdom is the most powerful and wealthy of any kingdom and has reined as "number one" for centuries. Their King is a strict and military minded man, as the royal family future Kings are raised to be. Few dare to speak against him and most respect him greatly for what he and his long line of great Kings has done for Eredel. A large majority of people raised in Eredel are well off financially and live a lavish lifestyle, though there are a few rare outer slum areas of their territory. Most live well and have little concern over food, money, disease, or crime. Eredel has the strictest rules of any kingdom and any person found guilty of crime is likely to be met with a harsh judgement (i.e. losing a limb, life in prison, or even death). Some critique the royal family for their harsh judgement, especially for small petty crimes being met with high punishments, but they are not likely to change any time soon. The main city spans widely across nearly half of their territory, but once you find your way out of the city you will find yourself surrounded by dense forest and valleys with a mountainous region on the very edge of the kingdoms reach. Mostly farmers live in this area and are under strict regulations and quotas to keep food incoming to the city. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NEKVqMU.jpg[/img][/center] [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Adlan] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zEjSXRr.jpg[/img][/center] The small kingdom of Adlan has long been under the heel of Eredel. They are relatively new in comparison to the rest of the kingdoms and most definitely the poorest out of the main four, excluding Xivia. Adlan is at the will of Eredel and is allies with them simply out of pure necessity. They receive minimal help from Eredel even though they are expected to give a portion of their crops and taxes to the powerful kingdom. The royal family is considered the most lenient and offers help to their people as often as they can. This creates a great sense of loyalty in most, but also creates animosity in some who believe their King to be a push over. Most who live in Adlan are poor farmers and are often at risk of being over come with disease, though their close-knit culture makes for a very low crime rate. Though they have many farms, most of their food ends up designated to Eredel and because of this, starvation is a prominent cause of death among families. The surrounding area of Adland is mostly valleys, which are typically taken by farms, and the surrounding forest which becomes much thicker around the border line with Eredel. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/CfoT4oG.jpg[/img][/center] [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Haventis] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ObP1OuJ.jpg[/img][/center] The Haventis kingdom is the 3rd most powerful in the world, begrudgingly. The royal family of Haventis and Eredel have never gotten along or considered themselves friends for as long as any one can remember. The King of Haventis has long been conspiring to overthrow Eredel, but it is no task easily done. Knowing this, Eredel will not help Haventis in any of their affairs, and outcasts the kingdom as much as possible. Unfortunately, the Kings obsession with steeling themselves against Eredel has caused disarray among his people. There is an enourmous gap between his people financially. Typically, you are either extremely rich or extremely poor. There is great divide within the main city which leads to an exceptionally high crime rate as well. The Kings punishments are strict, but seemingly not strict enough. The surrounding region of Haventis is mountainous with strong rivers flowing throughout almost the entire territory. Many of the people in Haventis are fisherman, which is where most of the kingdoms food comes from. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/kL0TeZn.jpg[/img][/center] [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Vespora] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7P53uM8.jpg[/img][/center] Vespora is a very close ally to Eredel, thus making it the 2nd most powerful Kingdom. The royal family has always been friends with the Eredel royals, and have worked extremely hard to keep it that way. They have fought wars together and even married their children to each other to keep the bond strong. Though the royal family keeps this relationship stable in order to uphold the lavish lifestyle of their people, many are angry that their King seems to wait on hand and foot for anything Eredel may snap its fingers for. Eredel says jump, Vespora asks how high? Nonetheless, being so close to Eredel certainly has it's benefits. Like the people of Eredel, the people of Vespora are usually well off financially and live like lords are ladies regardless of social status. The difference, however, is that there isn't much work for the kingdom of Haventis. The land is too arid for farming and the fishing isn't as plentiful as it is for Haventis. Because of this, many turn to to mercenary work and as such, Vespora has become known as the hub for shady individuals to lurk. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tqQqJR6.jpg[/img][/center] [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Xivia] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/QFcGmdi.jpg[/img][/center] Next to nothing is known about Xivia. The story goes that centuries ago the powerful kingdom of Eredel agreed to leave Xivia be as long as they did not interfere with anything, though the reason is unclear except that the king of Xivia wished to have noting to do with any of the kingdoms and was self sufficient enough to do so. Many sailors who attempt the journey to the small island either have to turn back because of the turbulent water and weather, or die trying. It is said that the trek is close to impossible and only the most skilled should sailors even dare take their ship in that direction. ** only one character may be from this region, which is currently reserved [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ch01szy.jpg[/img][/center] [/hider][/center] [center][h1]The Gods[/h1][/center] [center][hider=The Olympians] [hider=Aphrodite] [h3]Goddess of Love, Desire and Beauty[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QdDxh2e.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Reserved for [@Avanhelsing] [b]First granted ability:[/b] One will become exceptionally alluring to the people around them, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. At first they will not be able to turn on and off this allure, receiving much unwanted attention in all directions. [/hider] [hider=Apollo] [h3]God of the Sun, Music, Poetry, Archery, and Healing[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/toO5Pef.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Reserved for [@SouffleGirl123] [b]First granted ability:[/b] The person chosen will be drawn to archery and upon picking it up, whether for the first time or not, will always hit their mark. They must learn to make sure what they intend to hit is also what is in their hearts, as petty jealousy or other negative emotions may cause the death of an innocent. [/hider] [hider=Ares] [h3]God of War[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/xWrrr9w.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b] The chosen person will become adept in hand to hand combat, beating out any opponent who challenges them. They must learn to control their newly gained strength. [/hider] [hider=Artemis] [h3]Goddess of the Hunt, the Moon, Archery, Chastity and the Wilderness[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/COrmXDv.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Reserved for [@Grey] [b]First granted ability:[/b] They will suddenly have the ability to hear and communicate with animals. Turning it off in order to focus could prove to be tricky. [/hider] [hider=Athena] [h3]Goddess of Wisdom, Handicraft, and Warfare [/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QnCwDfZ.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b] The individual will have a calming affect on those around them, gaining the ability to solve any dispute peacefully. They will know the right thing to say, though at first the calming affect can be so strong that it causes people to be [i]too[/i] calm and in turn making them lazy and unmotivated. They must learn to control this, or no one will be getting anything done any time soon. [/hider] [hider=Demeter] [h3]Goddess of Agriculture, Harvest, and Fertility[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/FtxCrFc.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b] They will have the ability to control plant life around them. Uncontrolled, plants within reach will often grow larger and more vibrant which makes them stand out considerably. [/hider] [hider=Dionysus][h3]God of Wine, Fertility, Theater, Madness and Resurrection[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/pcRwmy9.png[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b] They will be able to cause a selected person to have brief amnesia. Uncontrolled, this is obviously a problem when you are occasionally making your friends or family forget who they are.[/hider] [hider=Hades][h3]God of the Underworld, Death, Darkness, Wealth, and Afterlife[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/t5W5mfJ.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Reserved for [@Gisk] [b]First granted ability:[/b]The chosen one will be able to control shadows and disappear in plain sight when stepping into the shadows. Uncontrolled, the shadow aura will envelope them and cause them to disappear at unwanted times, along with creating a dark and intimidating atmosphere which most humans will avoid.[/hider] [hider=Hephaestus][h3]God of Fire, Forges, Blacksmiths, Sculptors, and Volcanoes[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1xSICaP.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Reserved for [@Saarebas] [b]First granted ability:[/b]They will have the ability to control fire, though it will take perseverance to gain full control over the wild element. Spontaneous combustion may happen in the immediate area of the user if their emotions are not under control.[/hider] [hider=Hera][h3]Goddess of Marriage, Women, Childbirth, and Family[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/eKIP12p.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b]The chosen person will have luck manipulation. Those the person favors can be temporarily blessed/lucky. Unfortunately this is difficult to control at first and instead of being blessed, someone may become temporarily cursed/unlucky. The general aura of this individual will subtly affect those around them, causing people to either have good or bad luck depending on the users mood when the ability isn't under control.[/hider] [hider=Hermes][h3]God of Messengers, Thieves, and Travelers[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Y4bOozf.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Taken by [@The Muse] [b]First granted ability:[/b] The individual will become extremely fast on their feet, becoming faster the more they learn to focus on their newly gained ability. Uncontrolled, a small jog could end them up in another city by accident. [/hider] [hider=Poseidon][h3]God of the Sea, Earthquakes, Storms, and Horses[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/JgSZ9Cm.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] [color=green]Open[/color] [b]First granted ability:[/b]One will gain control over the element of water. Uncontrolled, the user or the people around them can unintentionally end up soaking wet.[/hider] [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Other Gods] [hider=Persephone][h3]Goddess of the Underworld, Springtime, Flowers and Vegetation[/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/YrO0v64.jpg[/img] [b]Chosen Human:[/b] Taken by [@The Muse] [b]First granted ability:[/b] The chosen individual will begin to hear and see the spirits of the dead that still roam the earth. Turning off their calling can prove difficult and even drive one mad if they don't learn to control it.[/hider] [/hider][/center] [center][h1]Notes[/h1][/center] [list] [*] This is set in medieval times. [*] You may request another God/Goddess to be added to the list that may not be there already by PMing me or asking in the OOC. [*] The first ability should not be overly powerful. Eventually our heroes will learn 2nd, more powerful abilities as we get further into our adventure. [*] You will not be controlling your God/Goddess much, unless instructed by myself or given approval. They will usually just be used to advance the story or character development. [/list]