[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/4ead1886-47df-4b20-87a4-6b3444bae72b.png[/img] [h3][url=https://youtu.be/x_9pslQU9Bk?t=6]♫ OOC Music ♫[/url][/h3][h1]Welcome...[/h1][/center] ... to [b]Bellum[/b], a planet that is as magical as it is technologically advanced. There are many civilizations on this planet, and many different races that call this rock their own. The three main races you will find here are the humans, the beast-folk, and the elves. However, within each race, there are countless factions and sub-races. The possibilities are quite endless... [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b9c28033-a6c3-4472-82be-fd5c21339c7a.png[/img] [hider=Map Key] [hr][hider=Capitol Cities] [hr][hider=Sutisu City (D4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/ed0e1c04-9a1c-4aa0-8580-b087164e57d6.png[/img] [hr]On the surface, this sprawling metropolis can only be described as paradise. The streets are literally paved with gold, a golden alloy to be more precise. Robots happily do all the manual labor, while the citizens of this city are either scholars or business executives. When they are not studying or working, they fill their time with shopping, amusement parks, extravagant restaurants, and much more. Citizens enjoy the amusement parks and other activities for free, and shop prices are well within their abundant salaries. Most visitors, on the other hand, will have trouble affording to stay here more than a night or two.[hr][/hider] [hider=Riotifu City (K5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/bed6ea85-bb53-49f0-90fd-3c60a86a197e.jpg[/img] [hr]“Work hard. Play Hard.” That is the motto of Riotifu City. Here you will find glowing signs of all kinds around every corner. The largest buildings in the city are either headquarters for Riotifu business tycoons or casinos and hotels. Robots do all the dirty work here, while the citizens are either “gladiators” or “hackers”. “Gladiators” are competitive gamers, living most of their lives in the VR world. “Hackers” work behind the codes, maintaining the network and/or hacking into the network, for whichever company employs them. Visitors are always overwhelmed with all the city offers, and through countless microtransactions, they tend to walk away with very little left in their pockets.[hr][/hider] [hider=Mutrenu City (F9)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/059f586a-0317-4226-a128-8f86532757ee.jpg[/img] [hr]The feel of this city exists somewhere between Sutisu City and Riotifu City. It is clean and polished, without being overly extravagant. It is tech savvy and filled with excitement, without being obscene. Robots, Loyal Tail beastfolk, and human volunteers all work together to keep the shops and sites running. People here walk the streets with an air of confidence, because regardless of what they do for a living, they are all part owners of all the businesses headquartered here. Most visitors of Mutrenu City have an amazing experience. However, visitors are only allowed to stay for limited spans of time, and becoming a citizen is a lengthy process.[hr][/hider][hr][/hider] [hider=Large Cities] [hr][hider=Mercom City (C5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/6e323ce2-e857-4520-a60e-c3bbdf306ce0.jpg[/img] This is the Sutisu continent’s primary city for trade with the Mutrenu Continent. While not as lavish as Sutisu City, Mercom is filled with just as many luxuries. Its buildings are decorated with gold, ruby, and diamond, as well as other precious minerals. Visiting this city is a more affordable alternative to its Sutisu City counterpart; although, it’s still not cheap. [/hider] [hider=Leemo City (F5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b670a6fa-5042-49b1-abd0-dd94c786d176.jpg[/img] This city houses the continent’s military headquarters and its manufacturing hub. Of course, the majority of its manufacturing goes to support its military force. The architecture of this city is imposing, yet sleek. The buildings, while not ornately decorated with jewels, are still impressive, with gold, platinum, and silver plating. Visitation to this city is strict, but most don’t even try. There isn’t a lot to offer, as far as tourism goes.[/hider] [hider=Lusap City (I6)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7e41391b-5096-410a-b3b8-5533df058928.jpg[/img] This dark city, located in the swamp lands, is home to many foul souls. There is no crime here, only because there are no laws to break. It is survival of the fittest, and it is where the vast majority of the Riotifu army is recruited from. Lusap City welcomes visitors, just as a spider welcomes flies into its web.[/hider] [hider=Tempum City (K7)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/84a4c8b8-ab98-498c-bd16-4cb211b6a81a.jpg[/img] This is the Riotifu continent’s trading hub with the Mutrenu Continent. Out of all Riotifu cities, it is the most conservative. The police force here is strong, and violence in the streets is not allowed. Behind the scenes however, the corruption in Tempum is as bad as anywhere else. Bribery, con-artistry, and every other act of subterfuge are all fair play. Visitors are treated with respect here, at least to their face.[/hider] [hider=Mercatrua City (E8)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/5972d023-895a-4285-ba47-a91f6f851cc5.jpg[/img] This is the Mutrenu Continent’s major trade city, where buyers and sellers from Sutisu and Riotifu are both welcome, along with beastfolk and elves. It is also a tourist hotspot for all around the world looking for a good time, in an all inclusive environment. This is also where peaceful negotiations are held between Sutisu and Riotifu, as well as any other warring faction.[/hider][hr][/hider] [hider=Smaller Cities] [hr][i]Sutisu Continent[/i] [hider=Eligiro City (B4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/ba1b353e-a8d5-449c-b33a-b46eebe235a0.jpg[/img] This city is Sutisu’s center for religion and history. Besides some formal event spaces and fine dining establishments, there isn’t much here for the common visitor.[/hider] [hider=Lexif City (C4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/d1ab4e7f-60f3-4096-b186-06128f8ec621.jpg[/img] Even the most law abiding, religious citizen needs to unwind. Lexif is the place for just that, good clean fun: amusement parks, restaurants, and so much more.[/hider] [hider=Millav City (D3)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/a79f7afd-6f40-4a10-aa83-82fb6be1991a.jpg[/img] Millav City is Sutisu’s agricultural heart. The city is designed to grow crops, and hi-tech farmlands surround it. If you live here, you eat for free. Even if you don’t, the food is cheap.[/hider] [hider=Portira City (D5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/406c2bea-2b05-4b6d-ba40-632ed0b30454.jpg[/img] Nestled between Sutisu’s three largest cities, Portira City is the perfect transportation and distribution center. It also has beautiful beaches and a great night life.[/hider] [hider=Astodicu City (E4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/a3e5013c-4b9b-4491-b2f3-060fa440b4ba.png[/img] This is less of a city and more of a military outpost. Its main function is to prevent the Great War’s battlefield from spreading any further west, closer to the capital.[/hider] [i]Riotifu Continent[/i] [hider=Eitecio City (H6)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/98624ba0-d77b-464e-9362-4e0563278de3.jpg[/img] This is the city of outcasts. Here, you will find just as many beastfolk as humans, if not more. Despite Eitecio’s dark, swampy aesthetic, most of its locals have a kind hearted nature.[/hider] [hider=Roabria City (J5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b7542545-8318-466a-8f7a-8ff308e275e3.jpg[/img] Roabria is controlled by one corporation, a weapons manufacturing company. Whoever the CEO of the company is at the time also makes the laws for the city.[/hider] [hider=Instraudi City (K4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/09075917-c1b7-4a27-80da-def0be295091.jpg[/img] Every aspect of this city is built to capture energy. The buildings themselves are giant solar panels, and an advanced hydroelectric dam sits on the south side.[/hider] [hider=Morlan City (K6)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/d97d75d8-c94a-4d66-a20e-e963c239a055.jpg[/img] Out of all Riotifu cities, this one is the most “normal”. Crime is well under control and visitors can feel relatively safe. This is primarily a transit city between the larger cities.[/hider] [hider=Braro City (M5)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/40fdbe75-72be-4ddc-86fb-1d17721db54b.jpg[/img] This mining and logging city used to be Riotifu’s primary energy producer. It now plays second fiddle to its neighbor to the west. Life here is relaxed and relatively care free.[/hider] [i]Mutrenu Continent[/i] [hider=Tiparum City (C10)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/70520405-06d7-4840-84e9-20a0697bc01d.jpg[/img] This self-sustaining city is the main trade city between elven society and the Mutrenu nation. In fact, a small portion of the Tiparum population is made of immigrant elves.[/hider] [hider=Stallo City (D9)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/61c55400-6923-41f9-8d79-ea612027691e.jpg[/img] As evident by its flowing architecture, Stallo City is the main trade city between Sutisu and Mutrenu. It is also a popular vacation spot for the Sutisu people.[/hider] [hider=Lothiga City (G9)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7aeb7e03-d893-4d03-ace7-36b27a37d4bc.jpg[/img] Lothiga City is the main trade for Riotifu. Life here is wild and fun, as the Riotifu people enjoy, while being a much safer environment than any city in their home nation.[/hider] [hider=Quilaque City (H10)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/0f3a8335-6d5d-40cc-8425-11e7a34935ae.jpg[/img] Quilaque City begins on the mainland, but most of it extends out into the sea. It is a trade city built just for the Hundred Gills Tribe, Mutrenu’s closest ally.[/hider][hr][/hider] [h3]Beastfolk Strongholds[/h3] [hider=Burning Heart Stronghold (G3)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/9af87fcd-e77d-44e7-b163-433a78dc09db.jpg[/img] Built to last, this mountain side stronghold digs far into the mountains. There are more hidden cave entrances that only Burning Heart tribe members know about.[/hider] [hider=Poison Fang Stronghold (H4)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/adb2922d-0c21-4670-a1f9-7e01479c62b2.jpg[/img] Deep within the swamps, you will find the Poison Fang stronghold. It is made from scrapped technology and is constantly being torn down and rebuilt.[/hider] [hider=Soaring Wing Stronghold (E7)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/42dae213-3937-4fc2-a76e-a910d9a88a40.jpg[/img] High atop the mountains rests the Soaring Wing Tribe’s stronghold. Tribe members are always coming and going. Very few actually stay here year around.[/hider] [hider=Loyal Tails Stronghold (E9)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/6092ab63-2b31-451e-8b94-10eebca308a7.jpg[/img] This is only a stronghold in name. Truly, it is a city, just for the Loyal Tails tribe. The Mutrenu nation readily provides the stronghold protection and technology.[/hider] [hider=Hundred Gills Stronghold (J9)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/17efc3a6-7dde-4c3d-b485-c536a69a6e99.jpg[/img] Larger than any human city, the Hundred Gills Stronghold sits at the bottom of the ocean. Through scavenging and trading with the Mutrenu nation, it continues to grow.[/hider] [hider=Giant Foot Stronghold (L10)][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/3118bbf8-a2ab-466d-b7c3-965608553b51.jpg[/img] Ironically, the Giant Foot Stronghold is quite small, mainly because tribe members don’t actually live here. It is simply a meeting point and a place for guests to sleep.[/hider] [/hider] [h1]Time...[/h1][/center] Time passes on Bellum, at a parallel pace to that of our planet Earth. For instance, the Northern and Southern hemispheres experience the same four seasons, and there are exactly 24 time zones. The map above has 15 columns ([i]i.e. time zones[/i]), but there are actually 9 more not shown. These hidden columns contain a vast ocean and a few scattered islands, much like the Pacific Ocean. So how does this all relate to the RP? Well, don't worry. We won't ask you to keep track of the exact day and time within your posts. Instead, we'll only mark the time of year and time of day, at the start of important IC posts. [center][h1]Story Arcs...[/h1][/center] As a new player/writer in this world, you will have one of two options. You can either create your own story arc, or join an ongoing adventure... A story arc is but one of many stories being told in the world of Bellum. Each story arc is lead by a different player/writer, while I ([i]as GM[/i]) work to fill the world with NPCs and backstory. A story arc is made up of three elements. [b][color=fff79a]First,[/color][/b] at the heart of any story, you have the characters. A new arc generally has only one main character and side characters controlled by myself and the player who started the story arc. [b][color=f6989d]Second,[/color][/b] we have the plot. Of course, plot twists and improvisation can happen at any time, but it helps to lay out the plot of your story from the beginning, at least vague goals and milestones. [b][color=7ea7d8]Third,[/color][/b] we have the setting(s). Like on a ship about to set sail, most passengers ([i]in this case, writers[/i]) want to know where the story will take them. What locations on the map might they see if they join? But of course, just like the plot, there can be twists and turns along the way. At the top of the first IC post, you will find a list of "[b]ongoing story arcs[/b]". Below that, you will find "[b]finished story arcs[/b]". If you wish to join an "[b]ongoing story arc[/b]" contact the story arc's leader. If you wish to start a new story arc, post your ideas here in the OOC section. [center][h1]Backstory...[/h1][/center] Bellum is alive and thriving, even when you're away from your computer. We welcomed you with a teaser of what's in store, but now that you've come this far, let's unravel the tale. There are three "main" civilizations on Bellum, depending on who you ask. These would be the Sutisu nation, the Riotifu nation, and the Mutrenu. Each nation controls most of the area on their respective continents. However, the Sutisu and Riotifu continents are joined by a stretch of forested valley, known simply as The Bloody Divide. It is called this, because it is the main battle grounds for a generations long war known as the Great War. These two great nations hate each other's way of life, and they both want control of the river that runs through the Bloody Divide. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Mutrenu nation sits peacefully, far away from The Great War's reach. Even still, they are far from blameless. You see, it is a poorly kept secret that not only do they trade with both warring nations, they also deal in weapons and military grade technology. Basically, the Mutrenu nation will do whatever it takes to make money. As we mentioned in the beginning, there are three major races on Bellum: [b]humans[/b], [b]beastfolk[/b], and [b]elves[/b]. Then, each race can be further divided into factions and sub-races. Let’s dive into this a little further… [hider=The Different Races]The three great nations are primarily controlled by the "humans". Physically and magically, humans are not the strongest race by any means, but through great training and studying, they can harness magical forces and push their physical limitations. However, their true strength lies in their easy access to advanced technologies, such as weapons, vehicles, and more. Then you have the beastfolk, a broad term for animalistic humanoids that have evolved far beyond their human counterparts. Beastfolk have the ability to morph between two forms, their "human" form and their "beast" form. While in their "human" form, they appear almost human, with subtle hints of their beastly nature. The reverse is true for their "beast" form. While in “beast” form, the average beastfolk is much stronger than almost any human. While in “human” form, they are weakened, but are still stronger than the average human. In either form, their magical abilities remain formidable. Beastfolk come in many different varieties, but there are six main kinds. [hider=Six Types of Beasts] While some beastfolk live with the humans in the cities of the three major continents, most beastfolk live with others of their kind, in tribes. There are six of these tribes, hence the six types of beastfolk, and each tribe has their own stronghold ([i]i.e. their own beastly city[/i]). First, primarily living in the mountains of Sutisu and Riotifu, we have the Burning Heart Tribe. These beastfolk evolved from carnivorous and omnivorous mammals. Like their ancestors, they roam the mountains and forests in search of their next meal. The Burning Heart Tribe’s stronghold is located deep within the mountains (G3). Second, we have the Poison Fang Tribe. This tribe is made up of reptilian creatures of all kinds: snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and so on. They live within the southern reaches of the Sutisu and Riotifu continents, primarily within the swamplands. Cunning and deception are the Poison Fang way. You can find their stronghold in the swamplands directly between the two great warring nations (H4). Third, with their stronghold located in the Forbidden Isles (F7), there is the Soaring Wing Tribe. These beastfolk evolved from birds of prey: falcons, eagles, and so on. While their stronghold is located on an island, you should never be surprised to see one of these beastfolk anywhere else. These proud people believe that everything under the sky ([i]i.e. the entire planet[/i]) is their domain. Fourth, living primarily on the Mutrenu Continent, we have the Loyal Tails Tribe. Evolved from domesticated mammals that were once kept as pets ([i]i.e. cats, dogs, and so forth[/i]), these peaceful souls still live alongside their former masters. Most of them live among and work with the humans within their cities, but they too have a stronghold to call home (E9). Fifth, we have the Hundred Gills Tribe. The name may be misleading, because not all beastfolk from this tribe have gills. Some have evolved from mammals such as dolphins or birds such as penguins. In all cases however, their ancestors lived almost exclusively underwater. This tribe is savvy, scavenging the wastes of the three great nations. Doing so, they have built an undersea empire, with their main stronghold (J9) being only one of their many hidden cities. Last but not least, you will find the Giant Foot Tribe. These beastfolk have evolved from many varieties of herbivore and omnivore mammals, such as Rhinoceroses, Giraffes, Cows, and other wild/farm animals. Most beastfolk from this tribe prefer solitude; refusing to step outside of the Numgam Continent. Some have never even left their stronghold (L10). [/hider] The last major race, the elves are a mysterious lot for sure. Most appear almost human, aside from their pointy ears, which they often hide with a simple magic spell. As you would expect, elves have a much higher aptitude for magic than humans, but physically, the two races are on par with one another. There are nine different elven villages hidden throughout the world, each specializing in a certain domain of nature magic. Their hair color and skin complexions are influenced by their nature magic specialty, but they often hide these features as well. [hider=Nine Elf Villages] 1) The Treetop Village, located in the western Sutisu forests, is home to the Thicket Elves. They specialize in plant magic and speaking with forest animals ([i]non-beastfolk[/i]) Thicket Elves have green hair and tan skin. 2) The Cliffside Village, located in the northeast Sutisu mountains, is home to the Cliff Elves. They specialize in storm magic: manipulating winds, controlling lighting, and summoning rain. Cliff Elves have dark gray to light gray hair and fair complexions. 3) The Swampland Village, located in the southwest Riotifu wetlands, is home to the Swamp Elves. They specialize in water and earth manipulation magic as well as poisons. Swamp Elves have green tinted skin and darker green hair. 4) The City Site Village, located in one of the Riotifu cities, is home to the City Elves. They specialize in illusion magic, which helps them blend in with the humans. City Elves tend to have black hair and any shade of natural “human” skin tones. 5) The Raging Waters Village, located somewhere in the Forbidden Isles, is home to the Waterfall Elves. They specialize in water and wind magic. They often behave like pirates, raiding ships in the Forbidden Isles. Waterfall Elves have blue hair and blue tinted skin. 6) The Floating Island Village, located somewhere in the Festival Isles, is home to the Island Elves. They specialize in water and plant magic. They use their magic to create a fruitful, beautiful environment for visitors to the Festival Isles. Island Elves have blue to green hair and normal “human” complexions. 7) The Deep Cave Village, located inside the cave systems of the western Mutrenu mountains, is home to the Cave Elves. They specialize in earth, rock, and shadow magic. Cave elves have pale skin and even whiter hair. 8) The Lost Desert Village, located in the southwest Mutrenu desserts, is home to the Sun Elves. They specialize in earth, sand, and pure sun/star magic. Sun Elves have dark brown skin and brown, orange, or blonde hair. 9) The Volcanic Village, located somewhere around or inside the Numgam volcano, is home to the Volcano Elves. They specialize in fire, water, and earth magic, but with a heavy emphasis on fire. Volcano Elves have fiery red to orange hair with normal “human” skin tones. [/hider] [/hider] [center][h1]The Crystals…[/h1][/center] … are ancient artifacts that have been passed from hand to hand for as long as history serves. Very rarely does one person ever get the chance to hold more than one, but when that does happen they tend to go insane with power or worse, explode. For this reason, it is forbidden for one person to ever control more than one crystal at a time. Each crystal has its own identifying color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violet. They all have the capacity to power a small city on their own or increase the powers of a warrior by ten fold and give them limitless stamina. They are alike in that way. However, they are different in a more subtle way. [hider=All Six Crystals] [color=fff79a][b]The Yellow Crystal:[/b][/color] Currently under Sutisu control, this crystal taps into its user's sense of righteousness and order. This also can lead to the fear of chaos. [color=a187be][b]The Violet Crystal:[/b][/color] Currently under Riotifu control, this crystal taps into its user's deepest emotions toward those closest to them, both love and hate. [color=f6989d][b]The Red Crystal:[/b][/color] Currently held by the Burning Heart Tribe, this crystal taps into its user's passion, especially towards family and close friends, which breads both excitement and anger. [color=82ca9d][b]The Green Crystal:[/b][/color] Currently held by the Soaring Wing Tribe, this crystal taps into its user's pride, which can lead to greatness or envy. [color=7ea7d8][b]The Blue Crystal:[/b][/color] Whereabouts unknown, this crystal taps into its user's introspective nature. It is attracted to those with great self confidence as well as those who are overly self critical. [color=f9ad81][b]The Orange Crystal:[/b][/color] Whereabouts unknown, this crystal taps into its user's friendliness. Its users are typically happy and inviting, yet sometimes foolish and gullible. [hider=Note] Each crystal has a mind of its own and seeks out those that fit its emotional spectrum. The longer you are near a crystal, the longer it feeds off your psychic energy, driving you further into its preferred mental state.[/hider] [/hider] Becoming a Crystal Bearer: If you want to be one of the six crystal bearers, and the crystal you want currently has no owner, all you have to do is ask. Being a crystal bearer, amplifies your character's abilities by a factor of 10. [center][h1]Whispers and Secrets [/h1][/center] I will occasionally send you a PM and I will title it “IC: …..”. These secret posts will give one of your characters secret information. Crystal bearers may get these in the form of their crystal talking to them, but anyone can receive a secret PM at any time. If you receive one of these messages, please don’t share it with anyone else, at least not through an OOC exchange. However, if two characters are interacting, you can PM the other person and fill them in. Finally, if a secret is shared within the IC post, and your character wasn't a part of that conversation, please ignore the shared information. In the same vein, if you have multiple characters and I tell you a secret that applies to only one of them, please act as if your other characters do not know this secret ([i]unless those characters could logically and easily share that information[/i]). I won’t police how everyone handles world secrets, but it will make the RP more interesting for everyone if you play along. [center][h1]Money[/h1][/center] They say it makes the world go round. This is true for the real world, and it is true for this RP. Exactly how much it matters to your character, well that depends on the individual. We won't actually be tracking every coin you spend. In other words, the "coins" section of your character sheet ([i]found within your inventory[/i]), won't go up or down every time you buy something. Instead, we will be using that number to decide if your character could reasonabaly make larger purchases. For example, if you have "Coins: 1,000" and your character wants to buy a 10,000 coin motorcycle, I'd have to say no. When thinking about the value of a Coin, it might be easier to compare it to the US dollar, in the real world. If you were to do that, you would get about [b]10 USD[/b] to [b]1 Coin[/b]. This means, most small items would only cost you a coin or two. Around ten coins could buy you a low end luxury item or a moderately expensive ticket of some kind. A hundred coins, now we're talking about custom items and lavish expenditures. And so on... Now, Bellum, while not perfect by any stretch of the means, is still a future society, where robots ([i]for the most part[/i]) do the manual labor. Due to this, not everyone is required to work. In fact, more than half the world's population are "unemployed". Their basic needs, as well as the basic needs of everyone else, are covered by social services. There is free "housing", free "food", free "clothing" and free "healthcare". You can find these free services in any building marked with the [b]"CSC"[/b] logo ([i]Civil Services Center[/i]). These buildings are one stop shops for all your essential needs. They are found in every city and town in the world, and they are funded and supplied by the Mutrenu government. However, just because they all receive the same base support from Mutrenu, they are still managed by their local city government. Some cities supplement their "CSC" buildings, making the services they offer even better than normal. Some cipher off funds and provide as little as needed, just enough not to get in trouble with the Mutrenu government.