[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] [url=https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Mera_Mera_no_Mi]Flame-Flame Fruit[/url] [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 remaining sovereignty. Sunstrider and Solstone use westernized naming conventions. The UNITED STATES of Sunstrider & The Sovereign State Of Solstone: [b]Huitzil Castle:[/b] Boss: King Rykar Helios Primary Caste: “Divine”, Solar Priesthood. Located in the highest peak of Helio City, a grueling path to get to the top of Toxcatl Mountain and it’s spire like shape. Only king Helios himself rules here, free from the chains of democracy as he himself often dictates it. This is a place where only the noblemen live. Seemingly a paradise it carries a great darkness in it being the only area of the kingdom where slaves exist and serve their noble masters. In essence, the castle is a miniature of Mary Geoise. The inner workings of the castle are hidden from every member of parliament except those belonging to the royal family. [b]HELIO CITY:[/b] Boss: Crown Prince Oxford Helios Primary Caste: Aristocrat, officers. The Capital of the island, overlooked by the castle atop of Toxcatl Mountain. The capital has two mayor ports, simply called West and East port, each with a river delta leading into them that passes the other states to either side. It’s possible to traverse the entire island by foot or train. The capital hosts a cosmopolitan mixture of people, while most of the city is segregated, each business only allowing entrance to people of certain castes per city. The military are housed here to have ease of access to both the water and the rest of the kingdom. 10 years ago, The Ashbringers used to have their headquarters in the capital, these days their house. The Marine Base is also located here. [b]ZENITH:[/b] Bosses: SPOT and FLARE Primary Castes: Workers, immigrants. The youngest area, created by immigrants a few generations ago and used to be largely segregated until the Solstone revolution 21 years ago. After losing complete control of Solstone, the crown needed to retake ground and accepted Zenith as a new state. The state is run by the Yakuza and carries cultures that are otherwise foreign to Sunstrider. Biggest issue inside of Zenith is the religious conflict between the immigrants and the established religion in the west. Many of the country's factories are located here. Gamblers might find their luck here, however. [b]PHOENIX BEACH:[/b] Bosses: Fenix, Phenix and Thenix Solaire Primary Caste: Entrepreneurs, clergy, soldiers and tourists. The Beach hosts all of the tourism to the island - if you are a tourist, there’s a fair chance you never once saw anything besides. There’s attractions, hotels, spas, restaurants and every kind of entertainment exists on the western beach. On the other end, towards the north is where the temple is located which is closed off for tourists but opens to citizens during festivals or religious ceremonies. [b]SOLSTONE:[/b] Boss: Baron Brand Primary Caste: Does not follow the caste system. 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 its own government while still part of the Sunstrider Kingdom as a whole. 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 disposal, even if his estate has shrunk since his parents demise. [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 spears in combat. Once upon a time he served the King, but he left that position to serve as housecarl to the young Morgan after his parents were killed in the manor fire at the end of the war.[/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. Fights like a howler monkey with improvised weaponry and would give his life for Morgan or Solstone in a heartbeat.[/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. [/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] [hider=The Crown Prince:] [img]https://i.imgur.com/s5EvxmY.png[/img] Oxford Helios: Crown prince and a far more tempered young man than his father. Oxford is the man who leads Parliament and ensures that democracy goes around within the kingdom. He cares very little for Morgan and considers him a good politician but a terrible nuisance. His politics are usually centered on keeping up the prestige of the nation. [/Hider] [Hider=The Duke Of Destruction:] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ctnHm4x.png[/img] Aztec Helios: Chaos incarnate. Aztec causes issues and destruction anywhere he goes. The little shit responds poorly to the otherwise deadly rules of aristocracy that holds the island together. Violence and anger are two clear indications of his person. Carries his handguns and refuses to allow any bodyguards accompany him, unless he is going to meet with his father or brother. [/Hider] [hider=The Three Trenders:] [img]https://i.imgur.com/2iAkoD1.png[/img] Fenix, Phenix and Thenix Solaire The triplets all look the same, while their expertise is vastly different. Phenix is in charge of the armed forces and is one of the kingdom's most renowned captains. Thenix is one of the Kingdom’s high priests, while Fenix is minister of economy and in general seen as a business tycoon. Fenix is blessed by the Clover-Clover Devil Fruit. Their policies are almost always geared towards economic growth or ensuring sun worship takes center stage.[/Hider] [hider=Solar Triad] [img]https://i.imgur.com/CPRQk4W.png[/img] Solveig “Spot” Highpoint Solveig’s the head of the family, shrewd and incredibly cunning she managed to navigate herself to the top of the totem pole in Zenith, allowing her to become their elected to parliament and crowned city councilwoman. She wields her younger brother against their foes. Her politics are geared towards increasing the rights of the many people living in her province, often at the cost of Solstone, their nearest neighbor. [img]https://i.imgur.com/J2xcNwf.png[/img] Sun-Tsi “Flare” Highpoint Considered the attack dog of his sister in their youth, he has now clawed his way through the growing Yakuza and has become their lead enforcer and one of their highest ranked members. Based on his position within the organization and Solveig’s political position it is fair to say that the Highpoint siblings rule the organized crime world in Zenith. He wields a massive katana dubbed ‘Clusterstrike’. [/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.