[center][h1]The Black Undeath[/h1][/center]
[i]It began with a breeze. The first of many from the east, heralding the coming harvest season. A certain foulness clung to the air, tinged by the faintest stench of rot. The sky darkened and the clouds grew in number until, finally, the sun's light could no longer be seen. Unrelenting wind rushed over the land, whipping the trees and bushes with violent fervor. The people began to panic, trading began to cease, and supplies began to be stockpiled. It appeared as though the largest storm in all of history was on their doorstep, and none wished to be caught outside when the bottom finally fell out. 

On the fourth day, when it did, it was not rain that fell upon their homes - but the undead. Entire towns were swept away by the coming flood of gangrenous flesh, with few able to flee successfully to the walled cities. They warned of what fate had befallen their villages, and so the guards and soldiers prepared. And when the dead arrived, they were ready. When the fighting was all said and done, the rain finally came to baptize the battlefield and wash away the blood.

Humanity was tested on that day, and only by the strength of their walls did they survive. But the war for survival was not over just because a single battle had been won, no - there would be more to come. Humanity would be tested again; five more times in two months. Every surviving city would be attacked, some growing weaker... some falling to the hordes at their gates. By the third month the face of the world had been drastically changed. The undead roamed freely even as the sun shined, religion evolved to meet new needs, and both men and their enemies adapted to the world as it now was.

And that is where your story picks up - during the transition from autumn to winter. Each of you has been thrust into this new world, and each of you shares more in common than you could possibly know. Something is coming that will challenge every last ounce of what humanity has left to offer... and should they not fight together - they shall all die. So when the dark befalls you, pray that you are not alone.[/i]

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This is a semi-sandbox, medieval zombie survival RP with a low fantasy garnish for added flavor. The story will be the combination of each of [i]your[/i] individual stories, as the world continues to change and new monstrosities appear over time. The danger of this world will be real, and your characters may die - either by us agreeing on it, or your character doing something that will [i]undoubtedly[/i] kill them. Heroic acts are one [i]potential[/i] exception, but of course that depends on what actually motivated said act - be it courage, wisdom, stupidity, or something else.

[h3][u]Rules[/u][/h3][i]Bear with me now[/i]
1. Standard RP rules apply - no godmodding, metagaming, Mary Sues, Gary Stues, etc etc. You get the idea.
2. This RP is tagged 18+ for severe edginess (lots of blood, death, and light gore), and though physical intimacy can be [i]inferred[/i] is still definitely a no-no as per site rules.
3. If you have a problem with somebody, please make an effort to engage in civil discussion about the issue if you're going to engage at all. Basically, don't be a douche. I don't want to kick anybody but after a couple warnings of increasing severity I will have no choice. But I don't see that being a problem.
4. My word is gospel and I am your god. Okay, I'm not actually serious about that, but as GM I do reserve the right to reject any character for any reason. Though, I will be more than happy to work with you on fixing any issues. However. lack of compliance or disregard for the themes and/or rules may forfeit my help. Also, put Deus Vult (Latin, "God wills it") under your CS when you post it for review. Totally optional but it might do something for you. Who knows?
5. Post your unapproved CSes to the OOC or send them via PMs, and once approved you can post them to the Char tab. Pretty standard but I've seen other GMs address it.
6. You will die. Maybe. We'll find out together.
7. Try to maintain a post length of about two paragraphs or more. Less is fine, too, but don't let that be [i]too[/i] often.
8. Try to post at least once a week. Notify me via PM or OOC if something is keeping you from posting and we'll work something out. If you haven't posted anything (IC, OOC, PM) for nearly two weeks - your character is in danger and I will alert you of this. Failure to respond in a timely manner may regrettably result in character death (but I'll see what I can do).
9. Feel free to name villages and towns in your home region if you so please. Walled or otherwise major cities are off limits unless you hail from beyond the four listed regions.
10. Fighting goes by similar rule of thumb; if it's big, it's mine. That goes for both large hordes and exceedingly dangerous undead specimens. If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask - this rule is subject to change over time.

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[h3][u]Regions[/u][/h3]
[hider=Rhogein]
A vast lowlands area possessing rolling hills, muddy flood plains, and treacherous marshland. During the fall and winter months the land here seems to grow dark and dreary, draining the spirits of many - though they cling tightly to their faith. And in the spring and summer months that faith is rewarded, as the flowers bloom and unleash their fragrance upon a landscape now exploding with saturation. Before the collapse of civilization, Rhogein was known for its many ore mines and excellent blacksmiths... but much of that now lies dormant and abandoned.

[u]Surviving Cities:[/u] Cartelom, Menope, Amal, Mynelis
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[hider=Oroulam]
A highlands area characterized by the presence of high cliffs and deep valleys found northwest of Rhogein. The sea roars in a cold rage crashing against the coastlines, allowing the villagers here to strike a living by harvesting bounties of fish from the waters for nigh on two centuries. The mysticism of the land here remains very much intact, even to its own inhabitants, as many secrets are still believed to be nestled in the labyrinth of cliffs and caves. And it was from here that the first settlers of Apolund came long ago, though much of that history has been lost to time.

[u]Surviving Cities:[/u] Tarne, Akavo, Ludivustuk, Livastok
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[hider=Apolund]
A land of snowy mountains and forests located to the northeast of Oroulam, where a strong and mystical people decided to carve out a home long ago. Powerful warriors hail from this region of the world, bred to be tough and hardy by the freezing cold and the very nature of surviving in such a harsh landscape. Small wars, territorial desputes, and feuds have plagued the cities and villages here for decades... but perhaps there is hope for a united Apolund.

[u]Surviving Cities:[/u] Ashdale, Fauldusk, Hospward, Dimkarthyl
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[hider=Karhagu]
A vast stretch of land long buried beneath sand, transitioning into rocky outcroppings and then to arid badlands marked by plateaus and canyons. Oases dot the sea of dunes like islands in an ocean, cultivated by the life-bringing essence of water supplied by rivers originating far away in the countries to the north. The people here are simple but robust, challenged by the environment much like those in Apolund. However, their feuds are fought fought betwixt each other - but with their neighbors to the north, in Rhogein and Oroulam.

[u]Surviving Cities:[/u] Quwajet, Bijam Netu, Djeku, Majar
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[h3][u]Known Monsters[/u][/h3]
[hider=Liches]
When the dead began to wake from the tombs in which they had been buried; these were the first to rise. These corpse walkers came from the east just as the winds of plague had done before them. Now they come from the very ground beneath us, and from those taken by death only moments after their passing. They crowd and gather into hordes, scouring the known world in a hunger satisfied only fleetingly by the blood and flesh of the living.
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[hider=Bone Men]
Gone are the frailties of flesh, and so too are the basic necessities of muscles and organs. All that remains is bone. The body's empty core, left exposed and vulnerable to this plague of undeath that now hangs over these lands. The Bone Men are unnervingly quick and resilient, for they retain the strength of a human while forgoing all of the associated weight.
[/hider]
[hider=Ghouls]
An act of sin is often undeserving of damnation, but they who would consume the flesh of a fellow man shall be lost forevermore. These unholy beasts are not human, not anymore - but neither are they undead. Their blood still runs and they still draw breath, they feel hunger and pain and all manner of mortality. Such is why a Ghoul desires to feast upon flesh, no matter how badly decayed. Stripping meat clean from bone with their gnarled maws, they will leave only the body's core behind.
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[hider=Dread Knights]
Especially resilient undead forms whose bodies have developed thicker skin and a shell of chitinous growths over the body. This natural armor provides an amount of resistance to piercing and slashing attacks such as those from a sword. While the origins of these imposing fiends can only be speculated upon, their capabilities are well documented - and understandably feared. Strong enough to crush a man's rib cage through full plate armor, Dread Knights can wade through inexperienced warriors like a spoon glides through stew.
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[h3][u]Character Sheet[/u][/h3]
[hider=Template]
[b][u]Name:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Sex:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Appearance:[/u][/b] (If picture, please put above the sheet or in a hider here)
[b][u]Age:[/u][/b]
[b][u]Fighting Style(s):[/u][/b] (Sword and Shield, Ranger, Magic (please ask), etc. Feel free to be more descriptive, but you don't need to write anything more than maybe 1-2 sentences)
[b][u]Equipment:[/u][/b] (Weapons and other noteworthy gear)
[b][u]Biography:[/u][/b] (Relevant information about your character)
[b][u]Other:[/u][/b]
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