[center][img]http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/225/6/f/dark_forest_by_nurkhular-d46drkg.jpg[/img][/center] A chill wind is blowing, like some great force gathering its breath. There are rumors going through the lands, talk of orcs and goblins stalking the woods at night. They say the men of the plains see lights on top of the old fortress, the Grim Spire, that cursed place abandoned so long ago. Whispers in the dark. Birdsong has left the air. Something is afoot. One of the last remaining members of an order dedicated to the protection of the land has gathered a group of individuals to investigate this. People from all walks of life and different races have banded together, united in a common purpose. For their leader remembers the old tales and sees the warning signs that others have missed. Could it be that a terrible evil has returned? Or is there some other force driving these events, summoning dark servants out of hiding? This unlikely band of heroes-to-be must journey far away from home, deep into the heart of darkness, to discover the truth and put an end to this menace before it can begin. --- This roleplay takes place in a land called Brackenhorst. A mass of fertile, sprawling fields as far as the eye can see. Lots of little villages and townships, populated mostly by farmers. No king rules these lands, and men live free, honest lives. To the north of Brackenhorst is giant forest that the men of the Bracken fields rarely venture into. As is typical of these simple-minded people, it doesn't have a particularly original name, and is merely known as the Dark Forest. It owes its name to the perpetual twilight that exists beneath its thick canopy. Elves live here, though they're quite secretive about [i]where[/i] in the forest exactly. However, the forest is large, dense and mostly unexplored. The elves aren't the only creatures that dwell there and some say that even the trees themselves can come to life. To the northeast of the Dark Forest is a mountain range, known simply as the Tall Mountains. Dwarves live beneath these mountains in great halls carved into the rock. According to the dwarves, there is a dark land on the other side of these mountains, which is where the orcs, goblins and other unsavory creatures come from. To the south, in warmer lands, kingdoms and empires of elves, men and other races thrive and wage war on one another. But this roleplay does not concern them. The affairs of kings have no relevance here. I only mention them because if you, dear reader, fancy playing a more sophisticated, worldly character, having them hail from these lands is an option. That's all the information you really need. Feel free to fill in the blanks and make up stuff yourself while creating your character. In fact, I encourage it. --- Peace has reigned in Brackenhorst for a long time and the lands have been safe from invasions or threats. This is threatening to change, however, now that bands of orcs and goblins have been spied by the elves in the Dark Forest. They told the men of the Bracken Fields, who in turn have been gossiping among themselves. The dwarves of the Tall Mountains also know and have seen orcs traversing this mountain range, journeying towards the Dark Forest. Eventually, these rumors spread to other parts of the world. And from these parts, a man returned to Brackenhorst who has not been there in a long time. One of the last members of a very old order, the Watchful, established in ages past for reasons long forgotten to the uninitiated. This Watchful Man has gathered a troupe. In order to join this illustrious fellowship, please fill out the form below. [b]Name:[/b] What do others call you? [b]Gender:[/b] Sir or mamzel? [b]Age:[/b] How long have you walked this earth, mortal? Yes, that goes for elves too. They live long, but not forever. [b]Race:[/b] Man of the Fields, elf of the Forest, or dwarf of the Mountains? [b]Appearance:[/b] How fair might you be to the eye? Written description is mandatory, though feel free to augment this with a picture if you have one to provide. [b]History:[/b] What has led up to this point in your life? Be concise, novels are not required. This is a simple roleplay. [b]Personality:[/b] What are you like? Again, a summary. Let your character's actions speak for themselves in the roleplay but give me an idea of what to expect. [b]Skills:[/b] What might you be good at? A master-at-arms, maybe? Or a stealthy pair of eyes in the night? What's that? Magic? No, I don't think so. That art has long been lost to time. Very few in these lands still know how and you are not one of them. [b]Possessions:[/b] What do you bring with you on this journey? Weapons, armor, trinkets, odds and ends, that sort of thing. [b]Miscellaneous:[/b] Did I forget anything? Tell me here. As an example and my own character in this roleplay, the aforementioned Watchful Man and leader of this expedition, look towards the following. [hider=Thaddeus] [b]Name:[/b] Thaddeus. [b]Gender:[/b] Male. [b]Age:[/b] He would appear to be in his thirties. [b]Race:[/b] Man. [b]Appearance:[/b] The Watchful Man is a tall, striking figure. He looks decidedly weather-worn, from his unkempt, black, shoulder-length hair to the stubble on his face to the disheveled status of his ranger's gear. What stands out among all the grime are his startlingly green eyes, twinkling with... yes, with what exactly? [b]History:[/b] Born in Brackenhorst, Thaddeus has roamed the land from a young age. Nobody is quite sure how exactly he came to be part of the Watchful, an order that has been on the decline for a long time, its purpose lost to history. Thaddeus has always watched over the Men of the Fields, hunting down any signs of danger. Every time, however, it has turned out to be something minor. It's as if Thaddeus was looking for something that he couldn't find. Suspecting a taint that wasn't there. About ten years ago, Thaddeus left Brackenhorst. Where he traveled, one couldn't say. South, perhaps, to the greater lands there, with their kings and wars and giant cities and self-importance. The rumors drew him back. Was there finally something worth pursuing? Whatever the case might be, orcs being sighted in the Dark Forest is more than enough reason for him to investigate. They haven't been seen on this side of the Tall Mountains in generations. And so he gathered a party of remarkable individuals. Now it's time to see what this fuss is all about. [b]Personality:[/b] Thaddeus is both serious and mischievous – a natural leader but always with a glint of humor in his eyes. He's easy to make friends with and generally quite likeable, but sometimes infuriating in his insistence to keep information to himself, expecting others to trust and follow him completely. He is protective of and loyal to those by his side but he won't let them get in the way of his mission. Keeping the land safe is his paramount objective. Anything else, and anyone else, is secondary. [b]Skills:[/b] Thaddeus is a ranger, skilled with both the sword and the bow, though a master of neither. His true strength lies in tracking and investigating. His sharp eyes see things that others miss, his nose picks up trails that others can't find, and his mind makes connections that others might not have thought of. [b]Possessions:[/b] A longsword, a bow, a quiver with homemade arrows, a map, his drab ranger's clothing (including a hooded cloak), a dagger, some coin, and an empty vial on a chain around his neck. [b]Miscellaneous:[/b] I don't think I forgot anything.[/hider] Let's see those sheets! I will list accepted characters below. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/3854/posts/ooc?page=1#post-52781]Rook[/url], played by Asyrdar. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/3854/posts/ooc?page=1#post-52883]Lila[/url], played by Elsa. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/3854/posts/ooc?page=1#post-53865]Sir Gehrhart[/url], played by guyvolk. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/55371]Shi'mon[/url], played by ShonHarris. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/55452]Thorianiel[/url], played by Ellri. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/55595]Wolmak[/url], played by Sep. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/55747]Celine[/url], played by dreamingflowers. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/56646]Edward[/url], played by Azathoth. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/59577]Mirion[/url], played by TP. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/61496]Ghas[/url], played by Keepvogel. [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/62031]Kaell[/url], played by Sanedraned.