[center][i]I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:2[/i][/center] [center][color=orange][h1]Vigil of the Faithful[/h1][/color][/center][hr] A parliament of monsters hides behind the curtain. They emerge, sometimes, past the red velvet. They move in shadows among the human herd, reaching out and plucking the unsuspecting into their grip. Humans can be livestock to the hungry, lovers to the lustful, and toys to the wicked. All the horror stories talk of it: vampires filling their mouths with our blood, lycanthropes harrying mortal prey through dark forests, demons convincing a man to hand over his soul in a gift-wrapped bundle. But they aren’t just stories, are they? No, the horrors are real, hiding within a labyrinth of mystery. They have many names. Rakshasa. Oni. Agma. Shaytan... Demon. Whatever they are called, one thing remains constant: wherever there are demons, there are people who hunt them. You are one such person. Armed with steel, fire, and faith, you keep the Vigil. Someone must bear the burden of your thankless Crusade-- so let it be you. But you are not alone-- others like you fight elsewhere, doing what needs to be done. Perhaps you still fight that good fight, or perhaps you've laid down your arms, having passed on your teachings to someone else. Whatever the case is, today you have received a message: a summons, directing you to Las Vegas, where an entire Compact of hunters has gone silent. Intel suggests that this Compact uncovered a small clan of vampires, and likely perished in the attempt to eliminate it. An unfortunate loss, to be certain, but organizations in the region are scrambling to contain the situation. Boots on the ground are already establishing a perimeter while trying to keep things hidden from the public. They've even sent for hunters from different parts of the world. Whether you're the on first flight out, or are already driving across states to reach the infamous Sin City, you know things won't be easy when you get there. [hr][h3]OOC Section[/h3] Hey everyone. Crawling out of my hole for a while as I'm in that RPGuild mood again. This time, I wanted to try taking a stab at a spiritual successor to one of the RPs I was in, called [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/185562-divine-intervention/ooc]Divine Intervention[/url] (with an honorable mention to [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/183112-into-the-depths/ooc]Into the Depths[/url]). Although we didn't get far, it was a fun time, and we were on record pace before it unfortunately ended. Regardless, I've found a lot of inspiration in that and have been hankering for a similar RP since. I suppose in that sense, it's good to be the change you want in the world. This is an action/horror RP (leaning more on the action part) that's inspired by the likes of Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellsing, the Fate Series, and various other media. You would be playing a person of a religious denomination known in their circles as a Hunter. They're also frequently known by alternative terms such as Exorcist, Executor, Onmyouji, or various other titles. Your character is assumed to be an experienced, seasoned hunter of some renown in their circles, but this is not necessarily required. Most important, I think, is the fact that this is intended to be a short RP. There's a rough plotline in my head that involves a group of Hunters arriving, fighting their way through a city block infested by vampires and their minions, before ascending a skyscraper and putting an end to the threat. If this RP succeeds, I'll be more than happy to continue it afterward, perhaps writing a new mission or arc. But the pacing is important, and I'd like to try and keep it that way. [i]tl;dr: I want to run a small, campy action RP about killing demons (though in this case, vampires). If you want to crack some skulls and preach the word of God (or whatever it is you believe in), I'll be happy to take on a few players. [/i] [hr][h3]Sheets and References[/h3] [hider=Sheet] Sheet and format below. Be sure to add an image and change the hider name accordingly! [hider=Who Are You?] [center][i][sub][h1]Organization[/h1][/sub] [sub][h3]Division[/h3][/sub][/i][/center] [table][row][/row][row][cell][center][img]IMAGE[/img][/center][/cell][cell] [sub][b]NAME:[/b] FULL NAME[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]AGE:[/b] AGE HERE[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]DATE OF BIRTH:[/b] MONTH - DAY - YEAR[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]FAITH:[/b] CATHOLIC or PROTESTANT or EASTERN ORTHODOXY or OTHER[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]NATIONALITY:[/b] RACE[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [/cell][/row][/table][i] [b]PERSONALITY[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent]Description of character's personalities, motivations, etc.[/indent] [i][b]EQUIPMENT[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent]Format what you will to describe your equipment - mainly your weapons, armor, and gear.[/indent] [i][b]CAPACITY[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent]Description of character's physical and mental capacity. Note the talents, skills, and proficiencies relevant to the scenario.[/indent][/hider] If you need explanations on what should be in each section, feel free to check the hider below, and to ask if you're still not sure! [hider=Explanations] [b]ORGANIZATION:[/b] The name of the organization that employs this character. Can be written in that country's native language, or translated into English. [b]CHAPTER:[/b] The division that this character works under. Can be anything as simple as "Division 44", and "10th Battalion" or as complex as the "Organized Chapter of Exorcists of the Vatican City". Other names like "Task Force: Valkyrie" or "Mobile Task Force: Kings of Uruk" are also possible. Like the previous entry, this can be written in that country's native language, or translated into English. [b]NAME:[/b] Your character's full name and aliases. [b]AGE:[/b] Your character's age. [b]DATE OF BIRTH:[/b] Your character's date of birth. For reference, the year is 1972, two years after the events of the first RP. [b]FAITH:[/b] Your character's faith of choice. You are primarily assumed to be a Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox priest, but it's entirely possible to bring in a Buddhist, Daoist, Animist, or something else entirely! Even a 'faithless' character who believes in nothing but the strength of the iron in their hand. These are the exceptions rather than the norm, however, so please discuss this possibility before bringing one in! [b]NATIONALITY:[/b] Your character's country of origin and race. Naturally, only humans exist in this world. [b]PERSONALITY:[/b] Description of your character's personalities, motivations, etc. [b]EQUIPMENT:[/b] Description of your character's equipment list. Your characters know that vampires are involved in this operation, and may pack accordingly. [b]CAPACITY:[/b] Description of your character's physical and mental capacity. Note the talents, skills, and proficiencies relevant to the scenario. As a reminder, your character is assumed to be a veteran Hunter of some renown in their circles, and should probably have the skills to match. It's entirely possible to bring a neophyte or 'apprentice' character to one of the other PCs though-- just ask! [/hider] A sample sheet, and one of the NPCs already on the ground before the rest of you get here. [hider=Alistair Ardizzone] [center][i][sub][h1]Ordinis Sancti Exorcistarum Christi[/h1][/sub] [sub][h3]Ordinatus Capitulum Exorcistae de Vatican City[/h3][/sub][/i][/center] [table][row][/row][row][cell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RepAJJt.png[/img][/center][/cell][cell] [sub][b]NAME:[/b] ALISTAIR ARDIZZONE[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]AGE:[/b] 28[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]DATE OF BIRTH:[/b] OCTOBER 10, 1944[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]FAITH:[/b] CATHOLIC[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [sub][b]NATIONALITY:[/b] ITALIAN[/sub] [sup]______________[/sup] [/cell][/row][/table][i] [b]PERSONALITY[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent]Outwardly, Alistair appears to be a kindly young priest who treats everyone he meets with dignity, respect, and a smile on his face. He is wise, understanding, and surprisingly knowledgeable about the ways of the world. He appreciates art, music, and the little things. Above all else, he is a pious man who has dedicated his life to serving the Lord. Inwardly, Alistair harbors a deep resentment for demons and the unrepentant and can be particularly cold or angry toward them. He isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and believes that ridding the world of these undesirables would be better for everyone. To him, being denied salvation is a small price to pay for the opportunity to save the world, and he'd readily give it up again if he had to. He's also fiercely protective, and perhaps even a little possessive when it comes to those he truly cares about. Paradoxically, Alistair will die for a cause he truly believes in without hesitation yet is simultaneously not yet ready to die. After all, there is so much more work left to do.[/indent] [i][b]EQUIPMENT[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent][b]- Ceremonial Longsword: [/b]A holy relic, dating back to the First Crusade, this steel longsword has an edge forged from sanctified silver. Gilded with gold and jewels, this weapon was meant to be used to anoint members of an ancient order of holy knights, rather than be used in true combat. Although heavy and unwieldy, it feels light and fast in the hands of the Ordained. Its edge is dull when used against the innocent, while unrepentant sinners find it sharp-- enemies of the Lord cannot even bear to be in the blade's presence, finding the sword to cut supernaturally deep. Alistair keeps the blade in its scabbard, only ever pulling it free if he knows he must purify.[/indent] [indent][b]- Holy Bible: [/b]A heavy-set grimoire, containing the Word of God. Alistair has each page committed to memory, but he finds the presence of the tome comforting. He can also recite scripture and verses directly from the Bible, causing many demons to recoil in pain. Weaker demons may burn away, though stronger ones may merely be weakened by such acts.[/indent] [indent][b]- Reliquary: [/b]A leather satchel containing holy symbols, scripture, and other objects that are anathema to demons. Supplies include, but are not limited to: vials of holy water, silver crucifixes, a ritual dagger, a jeweled grail, notes on religious rituals, images depicting the Lord, his Son, the Virgin Mary, and various other Saints, wooden stakes, blessed nails, a hammer, a set of candles, and of course, bread and wine.[/indent] [i][b]CAPACITY[/b][/i] [sup]______________[/sup] [indent]Despite his thin, seemingly frail physique, Alistair is deceptively tough, his physical and mental fortitude impressive even among other exorcists. He was shown to have a prodigious talent for the arts of battle. He leverages this training to great effect during combat, combining his talent and training together. Fast, strong, and tough, the man is a dangerous combatant in close quarters. When wielding the holy sword, Alistair uses traditional techniques from [i]Fiore dei Liberi[/i], a form of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) that revolves around the use of a longsword. When fighting without his blade, he uses a street-boxing style, honed through a turbulent youth in the streets of post-war Rome. If pushed, the man isn't afraid to fight dirty, having learned a long time ago that if there are lives on the line, then no technique is too dishonorable. In addition, the man knows the entirety of the Bible, the Old and New Testament having been committed to memory. If he encounters a situation where his blade will do him no good, he always has the Gospel and the Scriptures to fall back upon. When even that is tested, he taps into reserves of willpower and determination rarely ever seen, except in men with nothing to lose, but everything to gain. [/indent][/hider] [/hider] Discord Server can be found [url=discord.gg/rwVjP6cBrY]here[/url].