[CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/dLyGxdg.png[/img][/center][b][center][color=black]M O R G A N B R A N D [/color] [color=#FC8A17]M O R G A N B R A N D[/color][/center] [/b][/h1][/sup][/CENTER] [CENTER][color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"The greatest flame is the one that burns within our people."[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER] [center][color=Salmon] Morgan Brand of the Solstone.[/color][/center] [center][color=#fdfbd3][b]CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:[/b][/color][/center] [CENTER][color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"Leverage is the most powerful force."[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER] One Piece is a story told from the perspective of the Pirate, we get to see what it's like moving from island to island, ensuing chaos and performing acts of heroism. This is all great, but my favorite part about One Piece besides the tone, is reconnecting with the people we used to know. Seeing Coby and Helmeppo again makes me lose my shit every single time. I want to work on that particular interaction and feeling, the feeling of a place changing with time. To do this, I'm telling a story that's equal parts Alabasta as it is Wano mixed with some Gotham-City crime-drama. Morgan is not Batman. He is not a Strawhat, and he's not a man who is going to change his own world in one sweeping motion. His story is one about compromise and a lot of paperwork. He's a high-ranking politician trying to keep his own vassal state alive, while struggling against many factors beyond the colonizing kingdom of Sunstrider. An aristocrat and nobleman, Morgan is inherently rather posh, though made a little more palpatible by his connections to his friends who are from a few lower rungs of society. Orphaned as a part of the last independece conflict, he inherited his title and responsibility. [center][color=#fdfbd3][b]CHARACTER GOALS:[/b][/color][/center] [CENTER][color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"Prosperity and freedom has to be what we burn for."[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER] The man is honest, brave and kind above all, that's not to say he won't deploy shadowy tactics or strike an underhanded blow - he is a politician, not a knight or priest. His ambitions lies in creating a space where he and his people are not threatened, living up to his legacy as a member of the Brand house and it's sole heir. He wishes to eventually take political office in the entirety of Sunstrider, allowing the kingdom at large to become better, creating well being for all of it's inhabitants. Along this path he will have a myriad of allies and foes, some changing sides depending on the day and conflict. My goal as a writer is to create a kingdom that feels right at home in the One Piece world, while still keeping the spotlight squarely inside said Kingdom and whatever outside threats they face. [center][color=#fdfbd3][b]CHARACTER NOTES:[/b][/color] [color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"The flame of ambition shall burn strong"[/i][/sup][/color][/center] [color=salmon]Organization:[/color] Sovereign Government of Solstone. [color=salmon]Position:[/color] Baron, Councilman. [color=salmon]Starting Sea:[/color] West Blue [color=salmon]Devil Fruit:[/color] Flame-Flame Fruit [center][color=#fdfbd3][b]THE SUNSTRIDER KINGDOM: [/b][/color] [color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"Friends are closest to my heart, but enemies occupy my mind."[/i][/sup][/color][/center] [b]THE KINGDOM:[/b] Sunstrider culture is heavily inspired and based on Central American indigenous people's religious beliefs. Their religion relies on the sun, heat and smithing are their symbols of belief. Mixing this aeshetitic with a heavily aristocratic, industrialized vibe we get a strong clash between harmony with nature and a far more Victorian people. Within the kingdom there are four mostly-sovereign states. The King is Rykar Helios The Third, who has always had hatred in his heart for Morgan, ever since he fought against Solstone in the last conflict. Sunstrider's a larger kingdom, while not massive I'd consider it a significant one. Famous for their factories and their scorching furnaces, they are able to refine even the rarest of minerals. The greatest of their furnaces are located in the small state of Solstone and the secrets to keeping this furnace hot is the largest reason for their remained sovereignty. Sunstrider and Solstone uses westernized naming conventions. [b]SOLSTONE STATE:[/b] Morgan Brand is the lord of the Brand Manor, making him one of the wealthy elite of Solstone, he inherited the title of Baron from his father, Merlyn Brand upon his death. As such, he has a heap of minions at his dispossal, even if his estate has shrunk since his fathers demise. Solstone itself is at conflict besides its conflict with the larger sunstrider kingdom and the other sovereign Sunstrider states. 21 years ago Solstone fought against Sunstrider in bid for independence, which is why it now has it's own government while still part of the Sunstrider Kingdom as a whole. [b]ALLIES:[/b] [hider=Ashbringer] [img]https://i.imgur.com/GzMY9LB.png[/img] Jack Hawkins - Former captain of the Sunstrider Ashbringers. Father figure to Morgan. Famous for his use of twin spears in combat.[/hider] [hider=Molotov] [img]https://i.imgur.com/SXsbRk5.png[/img] Stede 'Cocktail' Molotov - Crazy jackass, owns the only non-segregated bar in all of Sunstrider, The Ashes. Morgan's best friend and the most stalwart and aggressive freedom fighter. Loyal like a hound and fierce as a rabid wolf. [/hider] [hider=Bonet] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qXfXu6C.png[/img] 'Bonet' - Private detective with a shadowy past. Morgan knows critically little about Bonet, beyond what he has figured out over the past few years since he took his office. Bonet works as the problem solver, digging up dirt, collecting information and brokering secrets for Morgan. More to be added as they become relevant. [/hider] [b]ENEMIES:[/b] [hider=The KING] [img]https://i.imgur.com/14M7lqF.png[/img] Rykar Helios The Third Everything Morgan isn't, Rykar got in spare. A warrior king, a bulldog in politics and a ruthless tyrants to those that dare openly defy him. [/hider] OTHERS: Marines go here. [center][color=#fdfbd3][b]SPECIAL ABILITIES[/b]:[/color] [color=#FC8A17][sup][i]"Our lives all start from sparks of passion that ignited our flame We have no other choice but to burn. I intend to burn as hot as the sun above."[/i][/sup][/color][/center] [color=Salmon]Flame-Flame Fruit[/COLOR] Burned as a child when his homestead was reduced to ash along with his parents, Morgan harbors a complex relationship to his seemingly mystical abilities as the fruit has been a part of him since before he got old enough to throw his first punch. Morgan is far from a powerhouse, his survival has relied on the natural advantages his powers grant him. Beyond his Logia fruit, he's a traditionally trained fencer, utilizing a trick-sword in the form of a cane, a symbol of his house. Morgan's actual ability lies in him being a rhetoric and diplomatic powerhouse. Negotiation and legalities are his real weapons, coming up with uneasy peace where there could have only been war. Brokering power and trading resources for information, influence for guarantees and leveraging relationships to get what he wants. [center][color=#fdfbd3]Sample Post:[/color][/center] "Another drink to another failed motion by our incredible leader!" Stede shouted as the bar cheered, he sent eleven glasses of ale down the bartop, each getting grabbed by a hand of people dressed in simpler garbs than those of the councilman sitting at the edge of the bar, nearest Stede. Morgan shook his head. "You're stupid." He grimaced as Stede laughed. "Not as stupid as that motion, friend. You really thought you would upend the last tax deal? Just because your idea made sense and was legally sound? C'mon Baron Brand, haven't you been around this carnival longer than this?" Morgan shook his head, as a big glass of ale made it's way to him. Jack laughed heartily from the back, laughing at Stede rather than Morgan, the older gentleman knowing full well that Morgans proposal had nothing to do with the tax referendum - it was about voting districts. The bartender was talking out of his behind, as always. As Morgan nursed his beer, the conversations inside of the bar ignited, people from each of the states sat here engaged in conversation and enjoying each other's company. As sad as Morgan was about getting absolutely destroyed at the parlamentary hearing today, it was always a relief to sit here and watch the people, his people, not just those of Solstone, but all of Sunstrider - the real people of Sunstrider - gathered like this. United, even in disagreement. No walls between them. But as always, that wouldn't last. Soon the doors popped open as the Constables from Sunstrider decided The Ashes was getting a little too loud. "Oi! What's going on in here?! All of this rabble sounds a whole lot like drunken slobbery, is that what's goin' on in here?" Eying Stede, Constable Rivers grunted. "Knowin' that one's behind this bar, there's a fair chance there's plottin' happenin. I believe it's about time we do a search of the bar cellar for any contraband. The office 've received reports of North Blue Rye being sold in the streets - well above our regulated alcohol content. Nobody else but you, Molotov would be sellin' cocktails that strong." Stede grimaced at Morgan, a look that clearly told the Baron that he was in fact the one selling the illegal rye. Rolling his eyes, Morgan got out a piece of parchment from his bandolier. He was going to put that criminal law schooling to work once more. "I'm sorry, Constable Rivers. But you cannot search this establishment at this time. As made clear clause 17, paragraph 9 of the Helios Law decree, property used for entertainment purposes cannot be searched without a warrant or, if suspected of current criminal activity, required to have given 24 hours of prior notice to a clergyman responsible. I am Baron Morgan Brand. I hold the office of councilman for this block. You have not filed the appropriate forms to my office for my approval before raiding this bar. Therefor, I ask that you leave and return to your patrol." Morgan spoke, showing the parchment with the appropriate text, as well as holding up his identification - not that Rivers needed it, he knew Morgan. "Well well well, that's all fine and good, mister Baron. Me boys on the other hand? They don't listen too well. And they don't read so good, either. So all of these fancy lawyer talk you got there? It's not gonna do you any good, ya' see. We're gonna strip this bar board by board if we have to, until we find that stinkin' rye." Morgan grimaced. Rivers had an absolute disrespect for the burocractic machine - it wasn't the first time he had witnessed it, but this type of savagery always made his stomach turn. Lifting his gun, Rivers whistled. "You best move out of the way, your lordship." Shouldering past the young noble, who held his fist in his pocket. Stede put his hand on the double-barreled gun under the bar. Instead, the older gentleman, Jack stood up to the occasion. "Constable Rivers." He spoke, softly but clearly. "Your father was Searing Rivers, right?" The officer nodded, confused. "You might not recognize me, but I recognize you, you have his eyes. He was a fine ashbringer your old man. One of my best. I am happy you took after him, joining our great nation's law enforcement." It dawned on him who the scared old man was, and Rivers gulped hard. "This happens to be my favorite bar - and I'll personally make sure that no illegal products are sold here. Will you duputize me in this decision, as a favor - for old Ashbringers sake?" Jack asked, and Rivers nodded, solemnly. Morgan smiled, it was incredible the way with words Jack had. At a glance, everything the old man had said sounded like a request, but the way he had moved, and the aura he had exuded had made it plain that it wasn't friendly at all. Had he ever had the ambition to, Jack could've become a politician without equal. Whistling again, Rivers lowered his gun and called back the goons, currently moving towards Stede behind the bar. Once they left, Stede breathed out. "Damn Morgan, you've really lost it today. What was that weak crap? Thank the sun above that Jack covered my ass." Jack smiled, a glass of the notorious rye being served to him by the barmaid on Stede's order. "All in a days work, Stede. And don't be too hard on Master Brand. He had a rough day in court." Morgan scratched his neck awkwardly. He really had lost it today. "Ah well, whatever, nothing to do but drown our sorrows in booze and get back at it tomorrow, ey councilman?!" Stede cheered raising his glass as Morgan did the same "Helio Yeah!" he cheered as all of the glasses in the bar came together in wonderful clinks. [center][color=#fdfbd3]Post Directory:[/color][/center] As you post, please link any posts you make IC here. This will allow anyone who wants to follow your exploits better ability to follow along, plus make it easier for me to reference things as needed. It’s also helpful to divide them by arc.