[b]The Story So Far...[/b] [i]The Great War [img]https://www.wallpaperflare.com/static/188/664/3/dragon-fantasy-art-war-battle-wallpaper.jpg[/img] Nobody believed in the “Void” at first. Since the dawn of history, the beings from “the other side” were just a myth, a rumor that was used to scare little kids at night. Yet for all the monsters that existed in the current world from the great dragons in the skies or the fierce leviathans in the seas, nothing could compare to the demonic beings that spilled forth. The monsters that arrived were so cruel that even the most notable of vampire covens or fearsome of orc warbands that plagued numerous country sides were incomparable to the evil that killed indiscriminately. Initially the sightings were just isolated incidents, and the world idly ignored the growing problem for some time. It did not matter if a village here or some town there was ravaged… the great kingdoms of the world had little care for the problems in other countries until the Void appeared on their shores. As the world became fully consumed in war it became known that many countries were supportive of this new demonic regime that had emerged. Whether they collaborated to bring the Void into the world or simply submitted to them in the hopes of avoiding their wrath is simply unclear. The remaining kingdoms who opposed the Void and its allies rallied under a “Coalition of Order”. The Coalition which consisted of various great kingdoms and other free cities threw aside past rivalries and banded together to combat the enemy. The war took countless lives, but the Coalition emerged victorious after defeating “The Chosen” the appointed war lord of the Void as well as finding a way to destroy and seal the portal gates that allowed the Void to enter the current realm. The peace that followed however was fragile. While some kingdoms recovered and even surpassed their previous strength, other kingdoms remained entirely devastated. Countless refugees spilled into foreign lands and many desperate survivors undertook all sorts of crimes to ensure their survival leaving the future unstable and uncertain. Perhaps the most dominant of the factions that emerged from the war was the Mages Guild. Initially the Mages Guild was a private order devoted to all things science and magic who only invited the best and brightest to join their ranks. Yet with the war over the Mages Guild changed its policies and began to provide services to the remaining survivors of the world such as… 1. Providing loans to countries in need of money 2. Hire talented merchants, craftsman, farmers, sellswords and anyone of value and “rented” them out to countries in need to help rebuild. 3. Allow Mages to reverse the terraforming the Void inflicted on ravaged countries (an expensive and lengthy process) 4. Build and develop their private island into a massive seaport that served as a global hub so countries from every corner can trade goods in a singular area. 5. Perfected the use of magic conjurations to open portals at sea to increase the speed of travel. While portals existed in smaller fashion, only the Mages Guild developed portals large enough to transport trading vessels. Initially many countries benefitted from a more powerful and collaborative Mages guild. The new global trade hub ensured countries began to connect more and profits soared. However, it wasn’t long till jealously and doubt began to fill the minds of the various rulers that once made up the Coalition. Some began to believe the Mages Guild was responsible for the Void invasion, believing that they tempered with ancient artifacts that ripped a hole in the dimension that allowed the enemy to spill forth. Others believe the Mages Guild foresaw the Void invasion and purposely hid their power, allowing the world to rip itself apart just so they can take advantage of the ashes. Regardless of blame, countries who could not recover from the war became so dependent that they were more or less owned by the Mages guild. Since the war against the Void has ended, the Mages Guild has fully opened its once secluded island to the world. What once consisted only of a giant spire of knowledge in the middle of the sea has emerged into a grand seaport with taverns, brothels and trading centers that are unmatched throughout the world. The Mages even built a great “Arena” to entertain the various guests that arrived to provide legalized gladiatorial combat. If money was to be made the Mages Guild had part of it.[/i] [u][b]Chapter 1: The Mages Guild of Pandarosa[/b][/u] It has been a full 100 years since the end of the Great War. Despite the era being considered a time of peace and rebuilding, several kingdoms had engaged in smaller conflicts thus further shifting the hierarchy of power in the world and the old alliance that was known as the Coalition becomes increasingly a relic of the past. In response, the Mages Guild led by its council the “Enlightened Ones” has sent personal invitations to the great rulers of every country along with invitations to reputable mercenaries, scholars and any being of notability or status in the hopes of a grand gathering of great minds. While the timing seemed suspicious, its widely believed the Mages Guild wants to accelerate its growing business by showing off new secrets and technologies it had to offer the world in a grand celebration as well as attempt to keep the fragile global peace. Regardless of affiliation or reason, it seemed appropriate for people to attend, after all surely there was something of value to gain in the most diverse island in the world. The Mages Guild remain quite protective of its island. Well trained and armed mercenaries act as the island’s personal army while a small but powerful fleet of warships secure the waters around the island. The Mages Guild also decreed numerous laws, examples including 1. Beasts of war and engines of war are prohibited. No exceptions 2. Limits to the size of ships which basically prohibited any sizable warships. Upon arrival security is allowed to check any and all cargo being brought aboard as well as investigate any personal onboard. 3. There was no fighting allowed on the streets regardless of fault. Any personal vendettas were to be settled in the Arena at a time deemed appropriate. 4. The Mages Guild were free to adjust and deviate from the law if necessary. Their island, their rules. While there were some countries that have the militaries to challenge the Mages Guild and its allies, no kingdom dared to make any sort of aggressive action towards the world’s leader in science, magic and trade in the belief that attacking the Mages Guild, meant an attack on the world itself. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you made it this far, I thank you for your time. So sure enough, what exactly is going on? This RP is inspired by numerous works such as Warhammer Fantasy,WoW,LoTR,Elder Scrolls etc. While many concepts and terms may seem familiar, the idea behind all of this is basically a sandbox-esque RP under an original (though heavily inspired) lore that was created. Due to the vague concept and flexibility provided due to not having a singular main source material, all sorts of storylines are possible from adventure quests, epic battles and collaborative character stories coming together. So still interested? Well the story plans to start on the Island of Pandarosa in a grand festival that is meant to bring the world's best and brightest into a single location. Where we go from there will naturally be figured out but whether you are a member of a royal family or a curious wandering swordsman, you don't want to miss this celebration. RP Guidlines [hider=My Hider] 1. The usual no God-Modding, taking control of other people’s character without permission etc… 2. Ironically due to the nature of the RP, there WILL be top of the line, extremely powerful characters, entities, factions and thus I will try and establish characters of such significance to set the “bar” to not go over. Also, such characters/entities/factions will be limited and thus not everyone will be able to start off at such an extreme level. I will eventually post a rough sketch of a top of the line character to give an example. 3. While I intend to be flexible, please try to make characters that fit the setting. A wandering sellsword? An exiled price seeking redemption? A Void sympathizer/agent? Go for it! An alien from outer space attempting to fit in? Nope. 4. The setting is set around High Fantasy. Cannons, blunderbusses, Airships(like those in WoW), Beasts of War such as Dragons, Leviathans, Hydras are all permitted along with the use of magical powers(within reason). Having said that no lasers, automatic bullet weapons, nukes, OP magic spells (like insta soul suck an entire town) etc. Any questions on this feel free to ask 5. While this is a casual RP, I am expecting a good amount of detail though I am not asking for a novel. Simply put, post with purpose. 6. Rules are subject to change if necessary. 7. Have fun, ask questions if needed and lets all work together to try and work at something awesome. [/hider] Updated Example rough draft character sheets. [hider=Aratheon Tassarion] Aratheon Tassarion Age: 300 years Race: High Elf Title/Rank: High King of Asteryion, "The Great Dragon King" Appearance: Aratheon is a classical inheritor of the Tassarion bloodline standing tall at an incredible 6’8 supported by a strong muscular frame. Despite years in combat there is not a single scar on the elf's body though many attributes to this "perfection" due to Aratheon's use of specialized heavy armor and often fighting his battles on the back of his mighty dragon steed. Personality: Not since the first High King of Asteryion has there been a hero more beloved than Aratheon. When he was just a boy, Aratheon was hailed as a true prodigy, capable of accomplishing physical and mental feats beyond his peers making him rash and arrogant more so than your typical high elf. Despite being a member of the royal family, Aratheon lacked a certain caution and his wild and often combative nature made him an enemy to rivals in the political court. However, Aratheon’s demeanor hardened and matured due to the tragic events that befell the country and the cocky warrior was molded to become a true leader of his people. Despite being beloved by the people of his kingdom, Aratheon is notoriously despised throughout most of the known world. While he was initially hailed as a worldly hero at the end of the Great War, Aratheon’s conquests afterwards against Void sympathizers and old rivals have left many to believe that Aratheon is perhaps the world’s next great enemy, and that the high elf’s ambition may lead to an end to the delicate global peace the world is experiencing. Skills: Aratheon had long earned his title as the mightiest of the Asteryion having fought in countless battles and duels against enemies foreign and domestic. Despite the disdain against him and his skills as a warrior aside, Aratheon’s reputation as a military commander and overall leader cannot be overstated. Weaknesses: While he is king, Aratheon is hardly a diplomat. Lacking a certain caution, Aratheon is straight forward and honest but rigid and not one to adapt quickly. It is also noted that Aratheon's bloodline has produced the mighty "Dragon Kings of Asurya" but for all their successes they all seem to carry the fatal flaw of arrogance. While the people of Asteryion would be quick to point all the fabled deeds of each warrior king, many foreigners have pointed out on just how many Asteryion kings had fallen in combat or had died in mysterious circumstances. While Aratheon is every bit to be the greatest hero his nation has produced, his acts have led his kingdom to be surrounded by enemies. [/hider] [hider=Aerendyl Tassarion] Name: Aerendyl Tassarion Age: 60 years Race: High Elf Appearance: Standing at 6'3, Aerendyl just falls short at being a mirror image to his father. While possessing similar features such as a muscular and athletic frame, strong jawline, golden hair…Aerendyl lacks the same intensity his father possesses. Personality: Aerendyl first-born child of Asteryion’s mightiest champion. However, Aerendyl was born in a time of peace and the veterans who have survived the great war privately chastise the young prince for being too carefree and innocent to the reality of the world. Lacking his father’s ambition, Aerendyl is confident and proud but seems to lack the elitist complex his father and relatives possess giving him a certain friendly and innocent charm. Because of this, Aerendyl is more talkative and open to meeting new people. And while Aerendyl has killed before he’s still relatively new to it and is not as quick and prone to combat as one would think considering his bloodline. Skills: Trained from birth to be a warrior, Aerendyl is considered talented though seems to lack the “prodigy” trait that followed his father growing up. While Aerendyl is versatile in a variety of weapons, Aerendyl privately admits that he likely would do very poorly against the upper echelons of warriors in the world. Still Aerendyl works to develop his skills and is a capable swordsman, archer, and rider. Weaknesses: As mentioned before Aerendyl is talented but due to his position he will unfortunately always be doomed to be impossibly compared to his father. The burden of being the prince weighs on Aerendyl who would rather spend time adventure seeking then familiarizing himself in political worldly affairs. Aerendyl while enjoys the competition of fighting, lacks a particular killer instinct. [/hider] [hider=United Kingdoms of Asteryion] Name of Faction/Group: United Kingdoms of Asteryion Leader/Governing Body: High King Aratheon, High Queen Astarielle History: Many ages ago the continent of Asteryion consisted of several divided and rival kingdoms. While the continent was vast with bountiful and seemingly endless resources the various kingdoms were more or less fierce rivals until to a high elf of incredible skill and charisma managed to unite the various kingdoms when a foreign threat plagued the continent. When it was obvious how powerful these united people could be, the high elf who bore the last name Tassarion was crowned High King and an age of prosperity occurred. While the name ‘United Kingdoms of Asteryion’ signified a unification of kingdoms it also represented the fact that the diverse population of the continent which consisted of elves, men and dwarves were bound together in oaths of friendship. Despite having all the necessary resources to become an unparalleled force such in the world, Asteryion went through periods of good and bad kings. While there were kings who expanded on the economy, built up the kingdom’s infrastructure, there were also bad kings whose rule was neither prosperous nor peaceful. It did not help that while the Tassarion bloodline remained the dominant dynasty, ancestors of the great houses who swore oaths of fealty periodically betrayed these oaths and brief civil wars plagued times of prosperity. For a time, it seemed that for every successful step was made, something else would drive it back. It was not until the Great War and the Void began ravaging Asteryion did the people once more rally fully in complete unification. Despite heavy losses, the well-built military that had always existed increased its prowess due to constant fighting against an enemy that seemed almost immeasurable in number and savagery. As the Great War raged on, Asteryion had lost two High Kings, each having fallen in battle against the Void. The short reigns of both kings forecasted an ill omen to the future of Asteryion but the opposite happened… Aratheon Tassarion had come into power and was declared High King. Aratheon who was young by elf standards continued to lead the Asteryions into war against the Void as part of the Coalition and helped defeat the evil that was ravaging the world. With the defeat of the Void, Aratheon returned home as a conquering hero. Taking advantage of his popularity with his people, Aratheon would go on to lead several conquests in foreign territories often hunting down remnants of the Void and it’s allies while also defeating several ancient enemies of Asteryion in revenge for past defeats. These successes catapulted Asteryion’s status into an empire of incredible might. Current status: The United Kingdoms of Asteryion is one of the few kingdoms in the world who can confidently say it can influence global affairs on its own. With an experienced and vast military led by veteran generals and its legendary Dragon Knights, Asteryion is supported by a thriving economy that has networks all throughout the world. However, such vast power has it’s difficulties. Despite it being a ‘time of peace’ many foreign factions fear Asteryion and hushed rumors speak of some kingdoms seeking to possibly join arms against this superpower. The United Kingdoms of Aesteryion are also one of the few kingdoms that do not rely on the Mages Guild and tension has been mounting between the two sides for some time. Additional Information: Asteryion posses its own order of Mages though admittingly pale in comparison to the Mages Guild. The pride of the Asteryion military would be it’s Dragon Knights. Well armored and all incredibly skilled, the Dragon Knights of Asteryion are renowned for their fighting abilities and are usually deployed only in the most serious of conflicts. The name was given as the Knights themselves and their horses are adorned in ornate armor that more or resembles a dragon. True to their name however, the most elite of these Knights are given the honor of riding a Dragon into combat. It is often said that without the deeds of the Dragon Knights, Asteryion would have perished long ago. It is rumored that another reason for their success is that Asteryion’s secret order of assassins and spies known as Dragoons have infiltrated most of the world’s heads of state providing them a unique advantage in terms of information. Perhaps the biggest reason that Asteryion tries to keep clear of the Mages Guild is that it was discovered that the Mages Guild has funded Asteryion enemies in the pasts while also being responsible for the assassination of a High King and Queen. Were it not for other political and social issues, Asteryion would have possibly attempted to launch an attack on the Mages Guild long ago. [/hider] [hider=The Mages Guild of Pandarosa] Name of Faction/Group: The Mages Guild of Pandarosa Leader/Governing Body: The Council of the Enlightened Ones History: What was once just a brotherhood of great minds has expanded into a global network. The Mages Guild is more then just Mages seeking to expand knowledge on arcane arts… they are also scientists, inventors, artists, and all-around innovators of the future. The goal of the Mages Guild ultimately is to become the dominant magical institution in the known world and to do so requires resources. One notable Mage by the name of Reginald Williams is credited with guiding the Mages Guild into their newfound extreme wealth. Reginald’s policies regarding investments and overall direction has allowed the Mages Guild to help heal a broken world while also profiting from the Great War’s devastation. Current Status: Perhaps the world’s dominant faction in the world at the moment, the Mages Guild has the power to more or less pick and choose the leaders of kingdoms who have come to become dependent on them. With seemingly infinite resources, the Mages Guild answers to no one and it is only by the decisions of the Enlightened Ones are they capable of showcasing any restraint. Still there is no denying that the Mages Guild is greedy and power hungry and that their interests in global trade only ensures they receive a huge profit from it as well as capable of dictating who gets certain resources pooled in their direction. Money aside, The Mages Guild has also recently been seeking ancient magical artifacts though for what reason remains unknown… [/hider]