[center] [h1][color=black]The School of Death[/color][/h1] [img]https://airbornestickers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Punisher-in-Circle.png[/img] [i][color=black]In Paradisum Faciens Inferos[/color][/i] [hr][hr] [i]The world, you have to admit, is a pretty nasty place to live in. Violence and murder surround us and engulf us no matter where we hide, whether in the dangerous jungle of concrete in urban areas or in the desolate plains of suburbia. They follow us, creeping through every facet of our lives, and then leaping out and taking the ones we love the most, or just flat-out taking your life. Evil's everywhere, and it ain't hard to find. But things aren't all that bad as they used to be, thanks to us. You see, they changed the history books a lot, made sure not to write about us or what we did, but back in the day, people used to get killed by all sorts of demonic creatures. Devils, witches, the undead, restless spirits, and other evil entities all roamed free, leaving the world in bleak chaos as they ruthlessly tore up the fledgling human species. That's where our founder, Charon, the Ferryman, comes in. He was born from the Darkness itself, but unlike the other wicked beasts that came from the Darkness, Charon wanted to make the world a safer place, even if he couldn't prevent death. So he grabbed his scythe, set sail on his magical ferry, and traveled across the world, slaying demons and devils as he went and allowing some of the early civilizations to sprout up and prosper. Charon was really doing a number on all those hellish fiends, but he met his match with the mighty Behemoth demon and was fatally injured. Realizing that he would never be able to fight another demon, Charon spent his last days passing on his knowledge and skills to a group of 13 men. These 13 men and their descendants would later form the 13 Great Families, and they would pass down their talents, knowledge, and legacies through the generations. The coalition of 13 men would form the Society of Death, centered on Charon's ideal of killing demons and assorted hellish beasts. In order to train the descendants of the original 13, along with any other students that developed an aptitude for magic, the Society founded the School of Death, an elite academy that teaches, along with traditional academics, the art of murder and the craft of combat. [/i] [hr][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bc/da/e9/bcdae9060e01f763efea3c80db6ae6c9.jpg[/img] [h1][color=black]The Academy of Assassination[/color][/h1][hr] The School of Death is located on an island to the southeast of the Japanese archipelago, with ancient magic imbued into the waters surrounding it to prevent unwanted foreigners from entering. The School of Death is heavily influenced by oriental themes, and is located in the center of a small but vibrant town that is built around the Academy. The School of Death is a highly secretive schools that invites only descendants of the 13 Great Families, direct relatives of Society members, and other select individuals that the school’s admissions staff notes potential in. The School of Death is well-maintained and illustrious, with beautiful grounds and inner design, and provides a luxurious experience for staff and students alike, with dazzling dorm rooms and quality of life that very few schools in the world can boast. However, the School’s goal is to train Reapers to join the Society of Death, and it engages students with vigorous and cutthroat activities in order to whip them into shape. The Society is currently headed by Headmaster Yasue Hiroji, a Japanese swordsman and mercenary for the Society of Death that is known for his tough moral code and tougher standards of teaching. With a surprising resurgence of Demons in recent years, the Society is in greater demand for Reapers than ever before, and it’s up to a new year of students at the School of Death to fill those shoes. [hider=School of Death Further Details] The School of Death’s student population is informally divided into 3 groups- [b]Legacy[/b] students are directly related to one of the 13 Great Families. They are known for being very experienced in the whole Reaping department and are typically well-respected among their peers. [b]Scion[/b] students are related to another family member that was a Reaper and attended the School of Death. They usually have some knowledge in Reaping and make up a large percentage of the school’s population. [b]Greenhorn[/b] students are selected by the Admissions department from the world population as extraordinary cases of talent and are invited to attend the School. They have 0 experience in Reaping or Magic and are forced, in essence, to perform “trial by fire.” The School attempts to make all students feel welcome, but natural differences in knowledge prevail once attending the school, a rigorous 3-year program that students begin at the age of 16. At the School, students take an Academics class (usually taught by some poor bloke they make stay at the School) that covers all the key points they need, but also take classes in Magic Manipulation, Close Combat, Demonology, Physical Education, and Sparring. Each of these classes are taught by actual Reapers and are usually highly intense. At the end of the first school year, students participate in a final exam called the Death Challenge. The Challenge is a rigorous field exercise involving real Demons in a real place on Earth. Required to escort a training robot through a dangerous location, the Death Challenge is known for a significant rate of injury (usually several severe injuries every year), and even higher rate of failure. It is well-known as a difficult task of Reaping knowledge, but also a great hurdle for first-year students to leap over and land upon even greater tasks. [/hider] [hr][img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ08X47auchQ9nCzTkl1Z-NVwEKkHk5AjEwD2HQ83x0YV0MDthd[/img] [h1][color=black]Encyclopedia Mors[/color][/h1][hr] [hider=Society of Death] The Society of Death is a cabal, one that remains as secretive as possible, remaining underground and using discreet tactics to fight Demons and other evil creatures. An organization both quiet in notoriety but massive in scope, the Society of Death has secret lairs all across the world where trained Reapers can meet, rest, and then embark on expeditions to kill Demons. Reapers are, for the most part, graduates of the School of Death, and usually work full-time as agents for the Society of Death. The Society of Death, in turn, uses its vast accumulation of funds to pay for Reaper bills along with life insurance (one that is rather significant, considering the danger level of the job.) Typically, these bills pay for a middle-class upbringing, and the Society provides fake employment details for the Reaper to present to anybody but immediate family. (An exception to this is those in Great Families, who have greater access to Society funds along with their own personal fortunes that allow them to live cushiony, upper-class lives). The Society is a dangerous place to work in, but is also a position that few can attest to- protecting the human race for a living. That’s got to count for something. [/hider] [hider=Magic] We all have a touch of magic in us. Magic is a power naturally present in many of the magical creatures that reside on Earth, but among humans, it is often not discovered. Humans are a very cynical creature, often rejecting the concept of magic as either sacrilegious or unreal, part of a nonexistent fantasy world. The School of Death, however, teaches students to unlock the magic inside them, and use it to fight back against Demons and other evil creatures. Magic requires dedication and focus to unlock, but most importantly, must be unlocked by another person with magic. Charon’s gift to the 13 Great Families was this power, and they have since spread it on through the School of Death to continue the practice of magic. Magic among humans typically manifests as a single power- for example, fire manipulation or mind-reading- that can be expanded and perfected through practice and concentration. Typically, early Magic users will have difficulty effectively using Magic, especially in high-stress situations, but with due practice and determination Magic can be integrated into their careers. Typically, Legacy students will have some experience with magic when entering the School of Death, while Greenhorn students will walk in with approximately zero. Magic tends to have similar characteristics in families, so Legacy students should expect to have similar (though not always identical and occasionally entirely different) magical abilities as their parents and siblings. [/hider] [hider=13 Great Families] The 13 Great Families are ancient clans, descendants from the 13 original apostles of Charon. They have maintained their position as leaders of the Society of Death and families of Reapers. The Great Families typically have large numbers of children due to the high mortality rates of fighting demons, and are all immensely wealthy, unlike other Reaping clans. [b]Lionheart[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/lion-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Nullus homo sine fortitudo[/i] The House of Lionheart is perhaps one of the most famous and renowned of the Great Families. Typically wielding powers related to fire or heat, the House Lionheart is remembered for their combat bravery and fearlessness in combat. [b]Truehorn[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/bull-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Virtuti vitae ante[/i] The House of Truehorn are perhaps the Lionheart’s greatest rivals, emphasizing valor and magnanimity before anything else. Truehorns typically wield self-enhancing magic, like strength or speed “buffs,” so to speak. [b]Heavenwing[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/bird-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Volare Altius et Exaltus[/i] The House of Heavenwing is a much more passive clan than the previous two, with those born under its banner taught respect, humility, and being protective. Heavenwings normally receive powers related to either wind or healing magic. [b]Oceanfin[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/dolphin-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Ne malorum obruent[/i] The House of Oceanfin is known for hunting Leviathans- a dangerous beast on water that can only be matched by talented Reapers. As such, the House of Oceanfin brings bravery to the table, along with creativity, cunning, and caring. They usually wield powers related to water or the sea. [b]Strigiform[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/owl-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Quod sapiens facit mirabilia[/i] The House of Strigiform is reputed for their wisdom and cunning, being known as strategists and tacticians before fighters (but being talented in the latter as well.) Typically Strigiforms have powers related to psychic abilities, such as clairvoyance, telekinesis, et cetera. [b]Nightburden[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/bat-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]In tenebris non mentior[/i] Those in the House of Nightburden get a bad reputation for their House because of a famous Reaper that betrayed the Society and joined the demons, later killing nearly a hundred mortals before being stopped. This reflection is untrue- Nightburdens can be valiant warriors, typically utilizing powers of darkness and night to stop their foes. [b]Felidae[/b] [i]Cum tenera pedibus ambulamus[/i] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/cat-symbol_1.png[/img] The House of Felidae is known for focusing on assassination and thievery, emphasizing stealth and elusiveness while moving about their careers. Those in the House of Felidae typically possess some type of invisibility power, though a few have been known to possess luck manipulation. [b]Winterfang[/b] [i]Hieme non peius nos ira[/i] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/wolf-symbol_1.png[/img] The House of Winterfang is known for being loyal guardians and fierce protectors, those who are willing to fight injustice- but the House of Winterfang never earned fame as being prolific Demon slayers due to their emphasis on teamwork and cooperation to slay their foes. Winterfangs regularly have some sort of ice-related power. [b]Serpentine[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/snake-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]A gutta veneni[/i] The House of Serpentine are sneaky and dangerous, certainly deviating from the Truehorn ideal of a courageous fight by using underhanded tactics and devious moves to defeat their foes (to be fair, demons are no less devious themselves). Serpentines have a bad rep for being assholes, which may have some foundation, but they are also just as devoted to slaying demons. They usually use powers related to poison or venom, though a few have developed hypnosis powers. [b]Lepidos[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/butterfly-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Conserva nos in statera[/i] The House of Lepidos are known for their deep connection to nature. Kind and caring people for the most part, the House of Lepidos are known for trying to forge a powerful bond with the world around them. They typically wield powers related to life and nature. [b]Ivory[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/elephant-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Formicarum sub pedibus nostris[/i] The House of Ivory is known for being unrelenting in strength and perseverance, and believe in offense through defense more than the other Houses. They typically wield some type of power related to the earth, rocks, and minerals. [b]Arachna[/b] [img]http://animal-symbols.com/pictures/spider-symbol_1.png[/img] [i]Et araneo vitae[/i] The House of Arachna sheds the traditional meaning of a spider, instead focusing on the creature’s fibers and its abilities to craft webs much stronger than the creature itself. The House of Arachnea normally wields powers related to spawning creatures and creating minions, or something to do with thread and webbing. [b]Lacerta[/b] The House of Lacerta was believed to have been ended two years ago in a tragic accident involving a deadly Demon. No known individuals with Lacerta blood remain. [/hider] [hider=The Book of Demons] Demons are everywhere. You may not know it, but you’ve probably met a Ghoul before, shaking your hand and selling you your house, or maybe teaching you everything you know about calculus, or perhaps driving your god damn Uber. Demons are constantly infiltrating the world, taking many different forms to do so, all waiting for their great leader to return so they can plunge the world into chaos once more. For purposes of helping Reapers know what they’re up against, Saxon Felidae composed a book called “The Book of Demons” to help Reapers be informed about their opponents. The book is a staple of Reaper culture just like the thesaurus is a staple for English teachers and RPGuild roleplay creators. Several of the entries in the book will be listed here. [u][b]D-Class[/b][/u] [i]D-Class Demons are low-level demons, and should be killed by a Reaper with ease, a Reaper apprentice with moderate ease, and an everyday human with a struggle.[/i] [b]Hellspawn-[/b] Hellspawn are the remains of actual, powerful demons that were reincarnated as magic. Hellspawn take the shape of small, knee-height fleshy slugs of red material with teeth. A simple stomp from a Reaper, or even your everyday average joe, will end a Hellspawn without any difficulty, but their strength, like many Demons, are in numbers. 6,000 of these little creatures biting you to death surely won’t be a pleasure to deal with. [u][b]C-Class[/b][/u] [i]C-Class Demons are rather low-level Demons, but are to be taken seriously as per Society protocol. While naturally inferior to Reapers, they can put up a good fight against a lesser-trained or distracted one, along with an everyday human.[/i] [b]Ghoul-[/b] Ghouls are the backbone of the Demon army, the most popular Demon, and hence the most common one that any reaper will encounter. A small, black-red creature the size of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, a Ghoul has sharp teeth and fangs and will use them to try and tear you apart. Their true strength comes from after they do so- after killing you, they proceed to eat you and take your shape. The main goal of Ghouls are to lie in wait for their master, Lucifer, to return to Earth, and to assist other higher-ranked Demons. [b]Amalgams-[/b] Amalgams are groups of Hellspawn stitched together by magic into an animal-sized mass of flesh and heads. They are disturbing creatures, but not strong at all. [u][b]B-Class[/b][/u] [i]B-Class Demons are moderate-level Demons, and can fight capably against a Reaper.[/i] [b]Incubi and Succubi-[/b] Demons that prey on the desire of lust, Incubi and Succubi appear as violet-colored Ghouls until they find their target, at which point they transform into beautiful sculpted humans with incredible attractivity. They are no stronger than the average Ghoul, but their allure can capture the hearts of even the most trained Reapers. [b]Moloch-[/b] The Moloch is a large minotaur of bronze, animated by demonic powers. Molochs have a stomach flap that they can throw their victims into and burn them, which gives them vastly increased strength if completed. They are only below A-Class because of their absolute stupidity, allowing them to be led into traps very easily. [b]Telemechus-[/b] Telemechus are bird-like humans with hag-like bodies and tropical, colorful, angel wings. They are known for being torturous, sadistic creatures that gang up on humans in groups of 3 and burn them to death with blasts of fire. [b]Legion-[/b] Bigger, better Amalgams, standing at around 9 or 10 feet tall, just above that of a Moloch, and made of many Hellspawn stitched into a strong, scary as all hell Demon. They are strong but, like the Moloch, rather stupid. [b]Kappa-[/b] Kappas are turtle-like creatures that dwell in water. They specialize in water combat and dragging their foes to an untimely, drowning death, but they are defeated by simply knocking them off balance and spilling the bowls of water on their heads. [b]Witch-[/b] A very common Demon, Witches, or Hags, take the form of old women, and typically use household items, such as broomsticks, to fly through the air and rain magic spells on their foes. [b]Furies-[/b] Dead spirits of typically women, though the restless souls of the dead don't judge by gender. Furies attack on droves and fight with psychological taunting. The only way to defeat the Furies are to shut out the sense of vengeance within oneself. [b]Belphegor-[/b] Creatures that are weak in stature but powerful in magic, Belphegor use a sort of persuasion magic to convince Reapers to lay down arms and take a nap. Beware, though, for once a Belphegor convinces you to sleep, you will never awaken again. [b]Pythius-[/b] Pythia are female demons with pink skin and blindfolds that can see without seeing, and can view into the immediate future, able to block attacks before they happen. Though hard to hit because of this, they go down easy once you get them once. [u][b]A-Class[/b][/u] [i]A-Class Demons are high-level Demons, and may require multiple Reapers to kill.[/i] [b]Mammon-[/b] Mammon are kings of greed and treasure hunters, and are naturally attracted to ancient magic relics scattered around the world. Mammon are human-sized, with sickly green skin and long noses, much like goblins, but are incredibly quick and can chop down a Reaper before they realize what’s happening to them. [b]Beelzebub-[/b] Flying, black beasts with massive, bat-like wings and red-eyes, Beelzebubs are incredibly strong, fast, and deadly to humans. [b]Abaddon-[/b] Abaddons are like human men, but with great insect wings and faces, and are surrounded by locusts that they can direct to attack a Reaper and rip their skin to shreds. [u][b]S-Class[/b][/u] [i]S-Class Demons are very high-level Demons. They must have multiple Reapers to take down and are immensely dangerous, even alone. [/i] [b]Leviathan-[/b] A massive, serpentine sea beast that is known for destroying ships with its massive body. Incredibly resilient and difficult to kill. [b]Behemoth-[/b] A gargantuan stone giant that stands at around 50+ feet tall and are immensely strong and durable. Loners, but that doesn’t increase your chances against one. [/hider] [hr][hr] [hider=Skeleton Sheet] ((Please delete all in double parentheses.)) Name: Nicknames/Alias: Age: ((16 most likely, though a year younger or older is acceptable)) Gender: Nationality: Hometown: Date of Birth: Appearance: ((Anime/fantasy pics/drawings. A detailed description is okay too, but I prefer a picture. You can put it up above and put a detailed description down here, or one or the other, just figure something out.)) Height: Weight: Status: ((Legacy, scion, or muggle-born I mean greenhorn)) Weapon of Choice: ((Or weapons of choice.)) Magic: ((A description of how their magic manifests/WILL manifest.)) Strengths: Weaknesses: Fears: Personality: ((Substance pls)) Likes: Dislikes: Backstory: ((Hokey is OK, just give me something to work with)) Hobbies/Interests: Other: [/hider] Whoosh, that took a while. Any questions or concerns, please tell me. Good luck! [/center]