Hidden 6 yrs ago 6 yrs ago Post by Slamurai
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Phosphoros




“By my blood … and those before me.”
-Mennonite warrior’s oath



In an age lost to time, a great mountain once dwarfed these lands - lands inhabited by the ancients, corpulent and arrogant. They raised their civilizations under the shadow of this mountain and warred, drank, fucked and prospered… for a time. Their magics and excesses upset the mountain, corruption at its feet, and tolerated it no longer. A great eruption, the Omega, drenched the land in ash and fire.
The once-great ancients perished to a man, leaving behind their ruined temples and monoliths.For many years, the clouds of ash choked the life from anything foolish enough to linger. But it eventually settled, turning the land rich with minerals. The Omega reformed the geography into a massive plain, ringed with volcanic ranges - a land we call the Cradle.
Nowadays, life has returned to the Cradle and the great mountain stands no longer. Five nations thrive within its boundaries, sometimes competing, at others coexisting. The greatest and most warlike of these, Kothar, marches on its neighbor Mennon, intending to break the back of its alliance with the western nations for good. It is the largest offensive seen in centuries.
As if this were not the worst of it, the magic of the ancients did not die out with its creators. In the shadows of the Cradle, dark things lurk unseen. Crypts are nesting places for horrors, children are snatched in the dead of night, shadows descend on caravans that are never seen again.
Legends tell of men and women of great ability, strength and character rising against such adversaries and emerging victorious. In times of need it is said they will appear, rising against insurmountable odds and bringing balance to the Cradle. If there was a time to make themselves known, now would be it.

It is a time of war, a time of monsters, but most of all, a time of heroes.



Welcome! This RP revolves around the volcanic plains of the Cradle, a bountiful, yet dangerous land of war, monsters, magic and myth. The story takes place in the midst of a war between the kingdoms of Kothar and Mennon, and threatens to drag neighboring states into the fighting. As the war rages, ancient creatures stir in long-forgotten tombs, awoken by the scent of blood and ancient magics that linger, cast by long-dead civilizations. You will step into the shoes of a great individual, akin to a classical hero, their companions or any other gifted persona. The RP will take you on a journey across the breadth of the Cradle and into the heart of Kothar - your deeds etched into legend and your spear into the heart of your enemies.

The Story Begins…

The forces of Kothar have marched across the border into Mennon, pennons flying, horns blaring. Already, they are poised to capture the western plains. Great camps have been erected and soldiers wait for the orders that will launch the next offensive. Rumors have circulated through the ranks of a foreign sorcerer having been seen close to the frontlines. These align with whispers of strange lights emanating from ancient ruins along the plains, near battlegrounds. Some say this is the cause of the odd, recent tremors across the plains. The elders of Roshad worry this sorcerer is seeking a way to tap into the ancient magics below. Doing so could awaken horrors that are better left undisturbed.

A great hero of renown is gathering likeminded adventurers in a small Mennon town. A band of argonauts of many backgrounds and ambitions have gathered at his call to bring challenge to the dark wizard. Why you choose to go is up to you, but this hero has explained that the sorcerer intends to awaken and wield a great power, capable of many god-like feats. This power is said to have a range of effects, such as granting immortality, making the Darklands hospitable, turning the Cradle into a utopia, among oter things. However, you are told the sorcerer likely plans to make himself into an all powerful god over the Cradle, turning the lands into his personal playground of terrible and unlimited power.

Your characters could join this hero for any reason: to slay the sorcerer and destroy this power none should have, to use it for good, to use it for yourself, whatever you wish, so long as it brings you all down this path together.




Civilizations of the Cradle











Rules & Expectations
1: The GMs are the law.
2: Basic sitewide rules apply (No metagaming, powergaming or godmodding as well as captain obvious forum etiquette)
3: Be cool like the Fonz.
4: Be excellent to each other.
5: Be active, and let us know if you plan to drop out or will be absent for a time.


Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Slamurai
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Reserved. Or something.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Goldeagle1221
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Awesome. Or something.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Crimson Raven
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I'm considering a magic-based character, to be honest I tend to gravitate toward magic in general. So, this person would be that 1 in 10000 with innate magical talent.

But first, I'd like to know a little more about how you imagine magic working in this setting. So far it's pretty open ended.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Goldeagle1221
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I'm considering a magic-based character, to be honest I tend to gravitate toward magic in general. So, this person would be that 1 in 10000 with innate magical talent.

But first, I'd like to know a little more about how you imagine magic working in this setting. So far it's pretty open ended.


Well, we were hoping for a more ritualistic approach rather than flick of the wrist fire balls. In better terms, magic requires time and ingredients, rather than a few well spoken words. We can work together on really defining magic, maybe make premade spells for on the fly activation. Does this make sense?
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Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Crimson Raven
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<Snipped quote by Crimson Raven>

Well, we were hoping for a more ritualistic approach rather than flick of the wrist fire balls. In better terms, magic requires time and ingredients, rather than a few well spoken words. We can work together on really defining magic, maybe make premade spells for on the fly activation. Does this make sense?


Sure, makes sense. I'll do a little more character creation and then get back to you on it.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Goldeagle1221
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<Snipped quote by Goldeagle1221>

Sure, makes sense. I'll do a little more character creation and then get back to you on it.


Great! The general feel is that magic is vague, hidden, hard to understand and likely that even great wizards do not entirely get it. A fickle flame that we just manage to coerce.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Cleverbird
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Hm, was also considering going through the magic route... Everybody loves a blood cultist worshiping some dark deity that may or may not be on their side, right? Was mostly considering hexes and curses, such as enfeebling targets, mind controlling lesser beings, boiling blood. Less "Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt!" and more "Yes, yesss... Let the hatred flow through you."

Either that, or a warrior from a Kothar annexed tribe seeking vengeance/honor.

Dont want magic, thats supposed to be rare, to be too prevalent haha
Hidden 6 yrs ago 6 yrs ago Post by Slamurai
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To piggyback on what Gold has already said about magic, this excerpt from Quora is relevant:

quora.com/How-would-you-describe-Magi…

Low magic really and being driven on a more ritual level. Magic in Conan is reaching it’s end considering, with only a few isolated civilizations and cultures actively using it. Beyond that only a selective few mortals, handful of magical beings and the gods themselves have any true magic with them. The major kingdoms in the Conan world have their mages and wise men, yet most use alchemy and other tricky then true magic.

The best individual who is the most powerful human mage would be Thoth Amon. He’s lived for hundreds of years thanks to his knowledge and use of dark rituals to extend his life and maintain his health. He and Conan had face each other over time, yet amusingly never face to face. The thing is Thoth is a cunning individual who understands how to properly use his power, by never putting himself into an exposed position. His strength lies in rituals and creatures he either summons or creates to do his bidding. Even then he has political influence which his magical power grants him.


This isn't strictly a Conan RP, but given that it's a big inspiration, it helps to know a little about the books' portrayal.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Briza
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Briza's bowling for Baccum.

Edit: Questions are in-coming or something.
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Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Goldeagle1221
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Briza's bowling for Baccum.

Edit: Questions are in-coming or something.


BRIZZZAAAA
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<Snipped quote by Briza>

BRIZZZAAAA


🥄<(⋈◍>◡<◍)。✧♡
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Isotope
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nice
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Crimson Raven
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We have a lot of birds here...

I guess birds of a feather flock together.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Cleverbird
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WIP - Just a quickie, gotta work out the details. Will flesh out this cult in the bio. Unless its just garbage, in which case I'll fall back onto my warrior idea. Sleepy time!

Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Rtron
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Is there still room here for one more?
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by mickilennial
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Well shit, now I actually have to finish my CS. Haven't RPed with Rtron in years.
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Slamurai
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@CleverbirdCouple things, after Gold and I put our heads together:

After reading your description of blood magic, we were hesiant because we felt it didn't jive with how we envisioned the seting. Hard to put consisely, but here goes - Blood magic is kosher in the setting, but in a more suble way. We'd prefer to see the effects move away from buff/debuff terminology and direct manipulation. Its effects and the procedure of casting should be more nuanced... ritualistic? Grounded more in ceremony and something resembling voodoo, opposed to waving one's hands behind the frontlines and churning the lifeblood out of your enemy.

Do you remember the witch, Mortianna, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves? There's a scene where she uses blood, saliva and other substances mixed together to discern visions of the future. This is the sort of magic we have in mind. Subtle, with often unforseen effects, but also powerful in the right situation (as evidenced in the Conan stories where sorcerers might extend their lives, call forth extraplanar creatures, conjure illusory effects, and so forth).

Also, on the matter of gods - this blood cult is free to believe it sources its power from whatever deity it worships. But as to whether that deity is real or not, there is no solid confrmation, nor denial. It should be a faith-based matter. How a sorcerer choses to interpret his dreams is on him, for example. There are powerful beings and monsters out there thay may seem godlike, and folks can choose them as patrons, but all 'godhood' is on faith.

Other than that, there aren't any glaring issues. What are your thoughts?
Hidden 6 yrs ago Post by Slamurai
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@RtronThere sure is!
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