Hoyo~
Welcome to my Interest Check for The Chainmaster's Shadow!
Let's not waste any time and dive right in, shall we?
--------------------
RP Genre: Fantasy (semi-realistic)
RP Setting: Continent of Cre' Est
RP Primary Location: Valkyom (central nation)
Time Period: Late Medieval
RP Start Date: June 8, 574 Common Era (we’ll use the real-world calendar for the sake of simplicity)
Genre(s): Action, Thriller, War
Sub-Genres: Adventure, Exploration, Slice of Life, Romance (possible, not required), Tragedy
The Backstory:
Following the sudden but welcome disappearance of the now legendary assassin known simply as 'The Demon,' the nation of Valkyom has settled into what some would call a new age of stability and tranquility. Though Te'i Sai, the assassin organization The Demon came from, is known for its self-proclaimed position as protectors of the balance of power between the five nations, it was the sheer brutality of The Demon's methods which chilled the people's hearts and made them fear the night. For the night was his time.
Since his disappearance just over 6 months ago Te'i Sai has gone very quiet. Be this a coincidence or causality, few can say. But regardless the people welcome this reprieve from the killings committed by this shadowy organization.
With this new era of stability and tranquility has come a sudden boom in trade and cultural exchange. Four of the five nations, Veilbrand excluded, have never been more available or receptive to one another without the fear of Te'i Sai looming over them from the depths of Roda Valley. And with this new flurry of activity comes a host of changes to your world.
The market bustles with life and new wares. Music, song, and dance from all across the continent make their way to the streets and theaters. Exotic foods from near and far begin appearing in restaurants both familiar and new. Tourists and immigrants are flooding in. And all manner of new additions and variations of everyday items become available for home decor, silverware, clothing, and much, much more.
However… Peace never lasts.
The Plot:
The assassin formerly known as The Demon (my character) has returned to Valkyom and finds himself with a second chance. Having lived his entire life in the shadowy walls of Te'i Sai, the rest of the world doesn't know his face. With his identity being a well-kept secret by the Valkyom Royal Family, Kairo, as he is known to the few who have actually met and identified him, now lives as a vagabond exploring the world he was previously locked away from. But 6 months is a long time. And a lot has changed since he’s been away.
With the city of now at the height of its newly invigorated activity his exploration sets him on a collision course with a host of faces both new and old. Will they become friends, enemies, or something in-between?
Only time will tell. But time, unfortunately, is something they have precious little of.
For you see...
Following the disappearance of both The Demon and Te'i Sai, a massive rival assassin organization from across the seas has secretly begun making its way to the continent of Cre' Est. Their purpose is unclear. But they stand poised to plant their roots and take ownership of the shadows Te'i Sai left behind.
They call themselves the Shadows of Moonlight. And their blades sing quietly in the night.
Unlike Te'i Sai who claimed to be keepers of balance, Shadows of Moonlight claim no such benevolent cause. And the red trails and harsh conditions of the bodies left behind leave the unmistakable mark of malice. These kills are not silent, swift, or merciful. Though carefully chosen and not indiscriminate, these monsters turn fear into their greatest weapon one horrifically mutilated body at a time.
Once Shadows of Moonlight make their presence known there will be no turning back. A quiet shadow war is now fast approaching. And like it as not your character(s) will find themselves sucked into it if they have any hope or desire to defend their homeland from these would-be conquerors of shadow and the unseen master pulling their strings every step of the way.
So... Interested?
If so keep reading! Cause there’s some important info to understand about this RP if you’d like to participate and enjoy it to the fullest!
These are my main rules for this RP:
1) This is a semi-realistic fantasy RP. This means no magic, no fantasy races or mythical beasts, no physics-defying physical abilities or supernatural powers, etc.
However, there are still some fantasy elements. Examples include the wildlife which, though not mystical or familiar, is fantasy through and through! And here are a handful of my favorite examples!
Vei Wolf - Vei Wolves are native to Veilbrand, and are not like your standard wolves. These suckers are about the size of a horse and have a venomous and paralytic saliva which can fully paralyze and kill a full-grown human in under 10 minutes if they aren't administered the antidote immediately. Also unlike standard wolves, Vei Wolves are not full-blown pack hunters. Once they reach sexual maturity they will pair for life and form a two-wolf pack. These pairs all carve out their own territories and live solitary lives together. Cubs are raised equally by both parents until the end of their first year, after which point they're expected to leave the nest to become solitary hunters. Cubs spend roughly two years alone. And providing they survive to reach sexual maturity by age 3 they will then continue the cycle. It's estimated that around 40%-60% of cubs die each year during this period of solitude. In the entire history of Veilbrand no one has ever tamed a Vei Wolf, and none are stupid enough to try as these creatures are highly aggressive and territorial, and are not afraid to attack and kill humans. Outside of war casualties and natural causes, these wolves are the leading cause of death in Veilbrand.
Gil Bear - These massive bears are native to Gweynura and are essentially oversized grizzly bears the size of an elephant. Thankfully, unlike grizzly bears, they are incredibly peaceful and passive animals unless provoked or threatened. You could walk right up to a mother and her cubs and feed them all by hand and be perfectly safe so long as you didn't do anything to provoke the mother. Still, the best way to ensure your safety is to approach the mother first and then let her introduce the cubs of her own accord if she so chooses. If she doesn't make a move to introduce the cubs, don't force the issue. It's incredibly rare for a Gil Bear to harm or kill a human, but there are records of both happening.
Sand Cats - Natives of the sandy dunes and arid wastelands of Shaharan, these massive cats are around the size of a small horse (or pony, if you prefer) and are among the most fearsome predators of the sands. They are solitary hunters and use ambush tactics using the very dunes themselves as their camouflage. These beasts are among the fastest land animals alive, beaten only by the Windcallers (another species of large cats native to Valkyom's open priries), and the Shem Horses. In rare cases the desert warrior clans are able to befriend and temporarily tame these impressive beasts. But it's always temporary. Only one Sand Cat in the entire nation's history has ever stayed for the duration of its life with humans. The rest all left within a year or two to resume their wild existence, though they would occasionally come back to observe the clans they were a part of for brief periods.
Windcallers - Though only slightly smaller than the Sand Cats of Shaharan, these large cats are the second fastest creature on the continent. Their coats are usually earthen colors such as various shades of brown, green, or gray. But there is a very rare condition which causes the coat to turn white shortly after birth. This condition is called Moonsong, so named because the pure white coat resembles the purity of the full moon. Sadly, Windcallers with this condition rarely survive past their first year due to how easily visible they are against the grassy plains and prairies. Their prey almost always see them coming before they can set up an ambush. Windcallers with the Moonsong condition who survive to adulthood are exceedingly rare, and are a protected species under Valkyom law. Not that this stops poachers and black market traders from trying to capitalize on the value of their pelts, claws, teeth, and organs. Any caught poaching these cats are immediately sentenced to death, and any caught peddling them on the black market are incarcerated indefinitely. No trial. No second chances.
Shem Horses - Native to the plains and prairies of Valkyom, these beautiful creatures look like almost any other horse save for two distinct features. They have bright blue-purple eyes which almost seem to glow under the light of the moon, and always, no matter their coat color or patterns, have silvery white manes and tails. These horses are capable of sprinting up to 80 miles per hour (~130 km/h), and can remain at speed for up to 15 minutes at a time if they have to. They can remain at a canter all but indefinitely due to how well developed and evolved their cardiovascular system is. Unlike most other species of horse, however, these creatures are incredibly skittish and even when tamed in the past have lacked the kind of bravery or fortitude to be combat mounts. Following many deliberations it was eventually decided by the Monarchy of Valkyom to declare them a protected species and thus made it illegal to take them from the wild. Much like with Windcallers, anyone caught poaching these animals are immediately sentenced to death, and anyone caught trying to peddle them on the black market are immediately jailed indefinitely. No trial. No second chances.
2) I mean this in the most friendly way possible, but this RP is going to be a bit of an ego check.
This RP is a story-driven experience. And all the greatest stories across all mediums share one thing in common: Main Characters under pressure, and achieving victory or success through struggle and loss.
As an example of what I mean: If you’re not keen on the idea of your character getting roughed up or straight up owned in combat on a fairly regular basis, then this probably isn’t the right RP for you.
Why is this the case? Because the Shadows of Moonlight are NOT cannon fodder enemies. These are all highly trained, highly intelligent, battle-hardened, and ruthless killing machines from the continent of Mar’ Valoa, a land where the weak perish, the strong become prey, and only the strongest can survive. These aren't the kinds of enemies from your bog-standard fantasy which you can casually slice your way through without breaking a sweat. They will cautiously observe every situation with care and determine whether or not it's worth the risk to get involved. And when it comes to combat, if they don't know for sure they have at least a 50/50 chance of winning then they will not fight. They'll live to fight another day when conditions are more favorable to them, or put in the work to make conditions favor them.
As another example: If you're not keen on your character failing to save people when shit hits the fan then this definitely isn't the RP for you. People are going to die in this RP. Mostly NPC's. But they're going to be NPC's which I do my best to endear you to through interactions, sub-quests, etc. And there will be absolutely nothing your character(s) can do to prevent their deaths if and when it happens. Lastly, unlike other fantasy stories which might have revive mcguffins, no such luck here. Once the NPC's or characters are dead, they're dead. Period.
3) The usual gimme rules apply: No God-Modding, Metagaming, or Power Playing.
4) Please study the Lore and Worldbuilding page before you make your character.
There's A LOT to know about each of the five nations which occupy the continent of Cre' Est, and I want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page before characters start getting thrown around.
5) Try to have fun!
The world you're about to step into is one I've been crafting and refining for the better part of 16 years. And the Lore and Worldbuilding page, as much as I wish I could say is fully comprehensive, is just the tip of the ice berg for what I have mapped out and saved on various documents on my computer about this story’s world and history. So there's plenty to sink your teeth into. And, hopefully, plenty of fun to be had.
If you have any questions about anything feel free to let me know! I'm always happy to answer questions!
-----------------------------------------------
That’s about it!
Cheers!
- GojiBean
Welcome to my Interest Check for The Chainmaster's Shadow!
Let's not waste any time and dive right in, shall we?
--------------------
RP Genre: Fantasy (semi-realistic)
RP Setting: Continent of Cre' Est
RP Primary Location: Valkyom (central nation)
Time Period: Late Medieval
RP Start Date: June 8, 574 Common Era (we’ll use the real-world calendar for the sake of simplicity)
Genre(s): Action, Thriller, War
Sub-Genres: Adventure, Exploration, Slice of Life, Romance (possible, not required), Tragedy
The Backstory:
Following the sudden but welcome disappearance of the now legendary assassin known simply as 'The Demon,' the nation of Valkyom has settled into what some would call a new age of stability and tranquility. Though Te'i Sai, the assassin organization The Demon came from, is known for its self-proclaimed position as protectors of the balance of power between the five nations, it was the sheer brutality of The Demon's methods which chilled the people's hearts and made them fear the night. For the night was his time.
Since his disappearance just over 6 months ago Te'i Sai has gone very quiet. Be this a coincidence or causality, few can say. But regardless the people welcome this reprieve from the killings committed by this shadowy organization.
With this new era of stability and tranquility has come a sudden boom in trade and cultural exchange. Four of the five nations, Veilbrand excluded, have never been more available or receptive to one another without the fear of Te'i Sai looming over them from the depths of Roda Valley. And with this new flurry of activity comes a host of changes to your world.
The market bustles with life and new wares. Music, song, and dance from all across the continent make their way to the streets and theaters. Exotic foods from near and far begin appearing in restaurants both familiar and new. Tourists and immigrants are flooding in. And all manner of new additions and variations of everyday items become available for home decor, silverware, clothing, and much, much more.
However… Peace never lasts.
The Plot:
The assassin formerly known as The Demon (my character) has returned to Valkyom and finds himself with a second chance. Having lived his entire life in the shadowy walls of Te'i Sai, the rest of the world doesn't know his face. With his identity being a well-kept secret by the Valkyom Royal Family, Kairo, as he is known to the few who have actually met and identified him, now lives as a vagabond exploring the world he was previously locked away from. But 6 months is a long time. And a lot has changed since he’s been away.
With the city of now at the height of its newly invigorated activity his exploration sets him on a collision course with a host of faces both new and old. Will they become friends, enemies, or something in-between?
Only time will tell. But time, unfortunately, is something they have precious little of.
For you see...
Following the disappearance of both The Demon and Te'i Sai, a massive rival assassin organization from across the seas has secretly begun making its way to the continent of Cre' Est. Their purpose is unclear. But they stand poised to plant their roots and take ownership of the shadows Te'i Sai left behind.
They call themselves the Shadows of Moonlight. And their blades sing quietly in the night.
Unlike Te'i Sai who claimed to be keepers of balance, Shadows of Moonlight claim no such benevolent cause. And the red trails and harsh conditions of the bodies left behind leave the unmistakable mark of malice. These kills are not silent, swift, or merciful. Though carefully chosen and not indiscriminate, these monsters turn fear into their greatest weapon one horrifically mutilated body at a time.
Once Shadows of Moonlight make their presence known there will be no turning back. A quiet shadow war is now fast approaching. And like it as not your character(s) will find themselves sucked into it if they have any hope or desire to defend their homeland from these would-be conquerors of shadow and the unseen master pulling their strings every step of the way.
So... Interested?
If so keep reading! Cause there’s some important info to understand about this RP if you’d like to participate and enjoy it to the fullest!
These are my main rules for this RP:
1) This is a semi-realistic fantasy RP. This means no magic, no fantasy races or mythical beasts, no physics-defying physical abilities or supernatural powers, etc.
However, there are still some fantasy elements. Examples include the wildlife which, though not mystical or familiar, is fantasy through and through! And here are a handful of my favorite examples!
Vei Wolf - Vei Wolves are native to Veilbrand, and are not like your standard wolves. These suckers are about the size of a horse and have a venomous and paralytic saliva which can fully paralyze and kill a full-grown human in under 10 minutes if they aren't administered the antidote immediately. Also unlike standard wolves, Vei Wolves are not full-blown pack hunters. Once they reach sexual maturity they will pair for life and form a two-wolf pack. These pairs all carve out their own territories and live solitary lives together. Cubs are raised equally by both parents until the end of their first year, after which point they're expected to leave the nest to become solitary hunters. Cubs spend roughly two years alone. And providing they survive to reach sexual maturity by age 3 they will then continue the cycle. It's estimated that around 40%-60% of cubs die each year during this period of solitude. In the entire history of Veilbrand no one has ever tamed a Vei Wolf, and none are stupid enough to try as these creatures are highly aggressive and territorial, and are not afraid to attack and kill humans. Outside of war casualties and natural causes, these wolves are the leading cause of death in Veilbrand.
Gil Bear - These massive bears are native to Gweynura and are essentially oversized grizzly bears the size of an elephant. Thankfully, unlike grizzly bears, they are incredibly peaceful and passive animals unless provoked or threatened. You could walk right up to a mother and her cubs and feed them all by hand and be perfectly safe so long as you didn't do anything to provoke the mother. Still, the best way to ensure your safety is to approach the mother first and then let her introduce the cubs of her own accord if she so chooses. If she doesn't make a move to introduce the cubs, don't force the issue. It's incredibly rare for a Gil Bear to harm or kill a human, but there are records of both happening.
Sand Cats - Natives of the sandy dunes and arid wastelands of Shaharan, these massive cats are around the size of a small horse (or pony, if you prefer) and are among the most fearsome predators of the sands. They are solitary hunters and use ambush tactics using the very dunes themselves as their camouflage. These beasts are among the fastest land animals alive, beaten only by the Windcallers (another species of large cats native to Valkyom's open priries), and the Shem Horses. In rare cases the desert warrior clans are able to befriend and temporarily tame these impressive beasts. But it's always temporary. Only one Sand Cat in the entire nation's history has ever stayed for the duration of its life with humans. The rest all left within a year or two to resume their wild existence, though they would occasionally come back to observe the clans they were a part of for brief periods.
Windcallers - Though only slightly smaller than the Sand Cats of Shaharan, these large cats are the second fastest creature on the continent. Their coats are usually earthen colors such as various shades of brown, green, or gray. But there is a very rare condition which causes the coat to turn white shortly after birth. This condition is called Moonsong, so named because the pure white coat resembles the purity of the full moon. Sadly, Windcallers with this condition rarely survive past their first year due to how easily visible they are against the grassy plains and prairies. Their prey almost always see them coming before they can set up an ambush. Windcallers with the Moonsong condition who survive to adulthood are exceedingly rare, and are a protected species under Valkyom law. Not that this stops poachers and black market traders from trying to capitalize on the value of their pelts, claws, teeth, and organs. Any caught poaching these cats are immediately sentenced to death, and any caught peddling them on the black market are incarcerated indefinitely. No trial. No second chances.
Shem Horses - Native to the plains and prairies of Valkyom, these beautiful creatures look like almost any other horse save for two distinct features. They have bright blue-purple eyes which almost seem to glow under the light of the moon, and always, no matter their coat color or patterns, have silvery white manes and tails. These horses are capable of sprinting up to 80 miles per hour (~130 km/h), and can remain at speed for up to 15 minutes at a time if they have to. They can remain at a canter all but indefinitely due to how well developed and evolved their cardiovascular system is. Unlike most other species of horse, however, these creatures are incredibly skittish and even when tamed in the past have lacked the kind of bravery or fortitude to be combat mounts. Following many deliberations it was eventually decided by the Monarchy of Valkyom to declare them a protected species and thus made it illegal to take them from the wild. Much like with Windcallers, anyone caught poaching these animals are immediately sentenced to death, and anyone caught trying to peddle them on the black market are immediately jailed indefinitely. No trial. No second chances.
2) I mean this in the most friendly way possible, but this RP is going to be a bit of an ego check.
This RP is a story-driven experience. And all the greatest stories across all mediums share one thing in common: Main Characters under pressure, and achieving victory or success through struggle and loss.
As an example of what I mean: If you’re not keen on the idea of your character getting roughed up or straight up owned in combat on a fairly regular basis, then this probably isn’t the right RP for you.
Why is this the case? Because the Shadows of Moonlight are NOT cannon fodder enemies. These are all highly trained, highly intelligent, battle-hardened, and ruthless killing machines from the continent of Mar’ Valoa, a land where the weak perish, the strong become prey, and only the strongest can survive. These aren't the kinds of enemies from your bog-standard fantasy which you can casually slice your way through without breaking a sweat. They will cautiously observe every situation with care and determine whether or not it's worth the risk to get involved. And when it comes to combat, if they don't know for sure they have at least a 50/50 chance of winning then they will not fight. They'll live to fight another day when conditions are more favorable to them, or put in the work to make conditions favor them.
As another example: If you're not keen on your character failing to save people when shit hits the fan then this definitely isn't the RP for you. People are going to die in this RP. Mostly NPC's. But they're going to be NPC's which I do my best to endear you to through interactions, sub-quests, etc. And there will be absolutely nothing your character(s) can do to prevent their deaths if and when it happens. Lastly, unlike other fantasy stories which might have revive mcguffins, no such luck here. Once the NPC's or characters are dead, they're dead. Period.
3) The usual gimme rules apply: No God-Modding, Metagaming, or Power Playing.
4) Please study the Lore and Worldbuilding page before you make your character.
There's A LOT to know about each of the five nations which occupy the continent of Cre' Est, and I want to make sure that everyone’s on the same page before characters start getting thrown around.
5) Try to have fun!
The world you're about to step into is one I've been crafting and refining for the better part of 16 years. And the Lore and Worldbuilding page, as much as I wish I could say is fully comprehensive, is just the tip of the ice berg for what I have mapped out and saved on various documents on my computer about this story’s world and history. So there's plenty to sink your teeth into. And, hopefully, plenty of fun to be had.
If you have any questions about anything feel free to let me know! I'm always happy to answer questions!
-----------------------------------------------
That’s about it!
Cheers!
- GojiBean
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