[hider=READ THIS FIRST]This FFXVI RP takes place centuries before the game's events. Any information here is taken from the game directly, and any discrepancies are my own changes. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. You don't need to have played the game to apply.[/hider] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230825/98f33d5c6f688f6a34fdd2310cd7b4e5.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ukSWfp1.png[/img] [color=6ecff6]"May The Blessing Of The Crystal Go With You."[/color][/center] [hr] [i]"It is those with power who must protect the fragility of peace."[/i] - Emperor Frederick II The year is 497. Valisthea is experiencing an abundance of resources from its land, and after many years of fighting over the Drake's Tail Mothercrystal, the realms have come together to declare the Isles of Ark a neutral territory. And thus, the Crystalline Dominion came to be, a place representing the current peace of the realm. As a gesture of goodwill, the realms have sent forth their Dominants as representatives to join in the festivities. There will be wine to share, relations to form, and memories to make. [hr] State of the World Valisthea is experiencing a rare time of peace. The continents of Storm and Ash have come together to form the Crystalline Dominion, but this was at the price of heavy wars that have scarred their lands and people. Most of the rulers have looked inward to handle their internal affairs, focusing on rebuilding their realms and mending fences with their neighbors. There are few that haven't been affected by the wars and the continents sigh in relief, eager to embrace peace. The exception to this is Haearann, as their lack of a Mothercrystal has left them with few blessings, and as a result they continue to raid the Storm continent. After the last clash of Garuda and Phoenix, however, they have been suspiciously quiet. There is a rumor they were approached by a Sanbrequois scholar on talks of negotiating trade, but few know the results of their meeting. Still, there is clearly trouble brewing, with astrologers seeing another struggle coming in the near future... [hr] Eikons and Dominants The Eikons are the most powerful and deadly creatures in Valisthea. Each resides within a Dominant—a single man or woman who is blessed with the ability to call upon their dread power. In some nations these Dominants are treated as royalty in admiration of this strength—in others they are bound in fear of it, and forced to serve as weapons of war. History records eight Eikons in total, each with a unique elemental affinity—one warden each of fire, water, thunder, ice, wind, earth, light, and darkness. Those who are destined to be Dominants cannot escape their fate, however cruel it may be. Dominant of Phoenix, Warden of Fire: [OPEN] Dominant of Shiva, Warden of Ice: [OPEN] Dominant of Ramuh, Warden of Thunder: [@Obscene Symphony] Dominant of Garuda, Warden of Wind: [@Scribe of Thoth] Dominant of Titan, Warden of Earth: [OPEN] Dominant of Leviathan, Warden of Water: [OPEN] Dominant of Bahamut, Warden of Light: [OPEN] Dominant of Odin, Warden of Darkness: [OPEN] [hr] The Realms of Valisthea [hider=Crystalline Dominion] [center][i]The Crystalline Dominion sits at the heart of Valisthea, built around the tallest of all the Mothercrystals, Drake's Tail. Many bloody battles were fought for control of this small plot of land due to its strategic importance, till the warring realms finally agreed to an armistice. As part of the peace treaty, the islands around Drake's Tail became an autonomous dominion led by a council of representatives from the surrounding nations—each realm enjoying equal claim to the Mothercrystal's blessing.[/i][/center] Dominant: The Warden of Water [/hider] [hider=Grand Duchy of Rosaria] [center][i]Long ago, a group of small independent provinces in western Valisthea found strength in unity, and formed the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. Rosaria draws its aether from Drake's Breath, a Mothercrystal situated on a volcanic island off the coast. After years of relative prosperity, the duchy now finds itself in-between raids from both the Iron Kingdom and the Northern Territories. The Phoenix is always born into the duchy's bloodline, with the Phoenix ruling over Rosaria once they come of age.[/i][/center] Dominant: The Warden of Fire [/hider] [hider=Northern Territories] [center][i]A bitterly cold region in the northern reaches of the continent of Storm. Home to the Mothercrystal known as Drake's Eye, the Northern Territories are composed of a series of tribes. While there is some inner-conflict between some groups, the hierarchy is dependent on which tribe the Dominant of Shiva is born into. Their family is typically elevated and receive blessings from other tribes. That said, there is often some conflict that rises if the tribe in question doesn't have much power or isn't respected, and it is not unheard of to have smaller tribes assimilated into larger ones in order to better protect the Dominant before they come of age.[/i][/center] Dominant: The Warden of Ice[/hider] [hider=Holy Empire of Sanbreque] [center][i]Sanbreque is the largest theocratic force in Valisthea. The Empire's holy capital Oriflamme is built around Drake's Head, the Mothercrystal that blesses the surrounding provinces with abundant aether. The people happily take advantage of this, living in comfort and security under the watchful gaze of the Holy Emperor, whom they worship as the living incarnation of the one true deity. The Empire is a democrative one, and the Emperor is voted in and serves until their death.[/i][/center] Dominant: Warden of Light[/hider] [hider=Kingdom of Veldermarke] [center][i]Veldermarke claims Northern Ash, the eastern half of Valisthea, as its dominion. The kingdom's control of the continent has oft been tested by the orcs and other beastmen who make their home there. Their current campaign has had their gaze cast to the south with the intention of conquering the entirety of the continent. While their military has oft been one of the greatest in the land, their recent trade points to a massive raid. As to what their goal is, few have ideas, and others believe Veldermarke's current Queen, Sigrid Veldersdottr, is searching for something.[/i][/center] Dominant: Warden of Thunder [hider=Southern Ash] [center][i]Where Veldermarke is scarce, the beastmen are all too eager to claim territory. Their movements as of late have been somewhat haphazard, according to those familiar with their behavior. Their displeasure at being pushed back from Veldermarke's borders have caused them to lash out more than usual.[/i][/center][/hider][/hider] [hider=Dhalmekian Republic] [center][i]The Dhalmekian Republic is made up of five states, from which the members of its ruling parliament are drawn. Its Mothercrystal, Drake's Fang, is half-hidden in the heart of a mountain range—the republic's control over it, and its aether, securing the obedience of the large part of southern Valisthea. The Republic's parliament is composed of six ministers and a prime minister, and they are often joined by the Dominant.[/i][/center] Dominant: Warden of Earth[/hider] [hider=Haearann] [center][i]A small group of islands off the coast of Storm, the western half of Valisthea's twin realms. Here the Crystalline Orthodox, an extreme faith that worships crystals, reigns supreme, though their churches litter all of the Twins. The Iron Kingdom is currently campaigning to gain control of Drake's Breath, the Mothercrystal that sits at the heart of one of their islands—long a source of contention with neighboring Rosaria. While Haearann has a traditional monarchy, most are aware that the Patriarch holds the real power in the kingdom.[/i][/center] Dominant: Warden of Wind[/hider] [hr] [i]Application Expectations:[/i] Please note that with the exception of Leviathan and Odin, each Dominant application is also responsible for their respective realm. Many of the Dominants hold relevant roles within their realms and tend to hold high positions. For example, if you plan on applying for the Dominant of Phoenix, you will need to also create the Archduke's family, and a small blurb depicting them is expected with the character sheet. The applications for Bahamut and Odin are going to be more judged than the others, while Leviathan has more freedom so long as they end up agreeing to protect the newly formed Crystalline Dominion. As for the reserved Dominants, if you would like to challenge that and think you can make a better sheet than them, then go for it. :) [hr] Please keep in mind that I won't be accepting any characters under the age of eighteen. Characters should have natural hair colors (a bright red is alright but no blues or pinks, for example). Bonus points if you can nab a picture of your ruler, too. [hider=CS][CENTER][h1][COLOR=Silver]NAME FONT THING HERE[/COLOR][/h1][/CENTER] [table][row][/row][row][cell][IMG]https://dfge.de/wp-content/uploads/blank-profile-picture-973460_640.png[/IMG] [CENTER][SUP]________________________________________[/SUP][/CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=FFFFFF] [b][color=GRAY]NAME[/color] [/b][/COLOR] [color=GRAY] GENDER [/COLOR] | [color=GRAY] AGE [/COLOR] | [color=GRAY] HOMELAND Dominant of[/COLOR] [color=BLUE][b]EIKON HERE[/b][/color][/CENTER][CENTER][SUP]_______________________________________________[/SUP] [color=GRAY][i]Quote about your Eikon, you can google the eikonomachy quote from the game if you're stumped.[/i][/color] [SUP]________________________________________[/SUP][/CENTER] [b][color=GRAY]Weapon of Choice[/color][/b] [indent]Setting is pretty medieval.[/indent] [b][color=GRAY]Misc.[/color][/b] [list][*]can put a theme or whatever trivial info here [*]use a list to make it nice and neat [*]:)[/list] [/cell][cell] [center][h3][i][color=GRAY]CHARACTER QUOTE[/color][/i][/h3][/center] [b][color=GRAY]Appearance[/color][/b] [color=FFFFFF][indent]Can describe your character here what pictures don't show[/indent][/color] [b][color=gray]Personality[/color][/b] [indent]should be obvious[/indent] [b][color=gray]Biography[/color][/b] [indent]include where you were born, how awakening as a Dominant affected your life, and any current personal goals. If you weren't expected to be a Dominant, explain how you found out.[/indent] [/cell][/row][/table][/hider] [hr] ALT TITLE https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230825/6715552e06273c837587db45fd35bc25.png People of Note Table Patriarch of the Crystalline Orthodox High Priest of the Greagorian Church Emperor of Sanbreque some rando thats gonna keep the cast together some whacky dude scared of magic