Karstberg, City of Adventure: Freeform Fantasy City RP Interest Check and Signups

[VitaVitaAR]

I've given it a brief look-over, but Rin and I will look in more depth tomorrow, since it's kind of late now. ^^;

[Sam12435]

No problemo! :D

[The RC Master]

Name: Stephan 'Spades' Donner
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Appearance:
Profession: Street performer
Personality: Spades always manages to stay positive, no matter what situation he's stuck in. He's outgoing, naive, always smiles, and loves to impress people with new tricks. But don't get too fooled by this happy ruse. He can be a major jerk at times and loves a good fist fight. He has a fascination with magic despite not having cast any spells at all.
Equipment/Weapons: He always carries around a deck of cards wherever he goes. In case of emergencies, he has a spring loaded triple dagger. (This if you don't know what it is.)
Abilities: He's skilled with card tricks and is fairly good with his dagger.
Brief Backstory: Spades was always the black sheep of the family. His father and older brother were lawyers, and his mother a governess. They had always told Spades that he was 'overly obsessed with nonsense'. The only person that supported Spade's interest in magic was his grandmother. The two were as close as you could get. Sadly, his grandmother passed away when he was only sixteen. Unable to stand his family's ridicule, Spades left and wandered from city to city until he finally settled down in Karstberg to find someone to teach him magic.

[VitaVitaAR]

@Sam: Okay, um, I can't help but notice that being half-dragon(how does that work exactly?) doesn't actually seem to effect anything. He seems like a regular guy who's good at fire magic, eh-heh.

And honestly, um, we didn't figure out what dragons would be like in this setting largely because we didn't think it would matter much in an urban RP. ^^;

@RC Master: He looks okay, accepted.

[Rin]

VitaVitaAR said
And honestly, um, we didn't figure out what dragons would be like in this setting largely because we didn't think it would matter much in an urban RP. ^^;

To clarify, we didn't decide whether dragons were intelligent, or if they were just big firebreathing lizards. Um, hmmm... Should probably do something about that, really...

[VitaVitaAR]

After a bit of discussion, we've decided to have western dragons be animals. Large, magical animals that are extremely dangerous, but animals.

Eastern dragons, which are much rarer, are intelligent and magic-users. So if his father was a shapeshifted Eastern dragon it works out fine.

[Rusalka]

I might join this one. It looks promising and I love the detail you guys put into the playing environment. I just want to clarify some stuff before I put up a CS. First off, since the settings is around the 1700s or Victorian Era, does that mean that flintlock weapons are allowed? I'm only asking bc I have a character in mind, but two of her weapons are flintlock pistols. Also could there be a secret guild of assassins similar to how the Dark Brotherhood was in Elder Scrolls?

[VitaVitaAR]

Flintlocks are fine, they're the only guns allowed though and they've got all the limitations real flintlocks had.

As for Assassins... hmm. It would depend on how they're handled, I suppose.

[Rusalka]

Right. I was thinking either they could be called upon by high ranking officials to eliminate a few problems or they assist a corrupted chair of the political office, perhaps a scheming grand vizier of sorts who's trying to overthrow the ruling body and establish his own. Another idea is they just simply answer contracts given to them by people for a price. It's whatever you guys think. I'm cool with either ^_^

[VitaVitaAR]

I think it would be best to start with the latter option, as in being hired by anyone who would want to use them and who can pay. Beyond that, well, player-created plots can be introduced as long as they don't force the involvement of everyone in the RP if they don't want to be involved, so we'll see.

[Rusalka]

A'right ^_^ I was thinking the latter too, since it would make more sense while not being so drastic at the start. I'll have a CS up in a few. Gotta do some research first.

[VitaVitaAR]

Alright, looking forward to it, eh-heh.

[Rusalka]

And Here It Is!

Name: Alena Carthenwald

Age: 26

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Appearance:

Her Armor

Profession: Hired Assassin

Personality: There isn't much difficulty in getting along with Alena. Likewise, she is witty and has a very charming charisma about herself. She can be romantic at times too, but she fears growing too attached to people, especially if they may end up being her target one day. When she doesn't have her hands wet with blood, she enjoys strolling about the city and viewing plays, symphonies and operas in the Dream District. However, on the job she takes a different personality, cold, methodical, and without remorse. It's become apparent to some that she enjoys the company of women more than men, often-times wooing them with her debonaire personality. Some say if it were up to Alena, she would take a woman as her bride.

Equipment/Weapons:

Tools of the Trade

_Aquilius_

A light shortsword. Easy to wield with one hand and indeed agile, giving enough ample speed and leverage for swift parries and counter-attacks and quick slashes and thrusts, though it is less damaging compared to larger, more robust swords.



_Miseria_

A short steel dagger for close ranged stealth kills, small and concealable under any circumstances. There's a special compartment in the hilt of the dagger for a vial of poison.



_Throwing Knives_

Sharpened and honed for the utmost aerodynamic design. They can be deployed rapidly in a cloud of deadly projectiles or used for a discreet, far ranged kill, maybe to get rid of a pesky guard or two (Maximum Limit: 12)



_Dual Flintlocks_

Only for those situations when things just aren't going the quiet way. One shot per pistol and slow to reload, they are only reserved for a quick and deadly blow to the enemy before making a hasty retreat

Abilities: Alena is skilled in both one handed and two handed melee combat and is a dead-eye in marksmanship. she is also an expert when it comes to parkour/free running, able to leap and bound and flow gracefully atop the city roofs and high passages. As for stealth, Alena is like a spirit looming upon you when you least expect her.

Brief Backstory:

House-Carthenwald was once the most prominent of families who were part of Karstberg's aristocracy. Alena's father, Magnus, was the head of an illustrious trading company that operated in the Market District of Kartsberg, selling and trading rare goods that were gathered from all across the globe. He shared the business with his half brother and Alena's uncle, Venius, yet rebuked Venius' idea that the company should be dealing arms and armaments instead of rare spices and such, as he did not wish to be a merchant of blood. Little did he know this would have consequences. Magnus fell in love later on with Marianne, a beautiful and famous actress and opera singer, and married, where upon later they had a daughter, Alena.

Twas thanks to her mother that Alena was raised in an environment steeped in music and the arts. She loved to hear her mother sing and enjoyed watching her plays and her concerts with her father. When she turned thirteen, Magnus entrusted his business to her, along with all of his riches. It was an action that further angered Venius, and soon he retaliated in violence. One night, a band of mercenaries hired by Venius stormed the Carthenwald Manor. Magnus was slain trying to defend his home and his family and Marianne was later murdered by the men. Alena survived the attack, unaware that Venius was the orchestrator of this vile action. As she watched her family's illustrious and elegant manor erupt in flames, she fled from the city and towards the forest in fear of her own life still being forfeit.

She was attacked there upon by a gang of ruthless bandits, but rescued by a man in a dark cloak and form-fitting armor. He was Matthias Grimm, the head of a secret and illegal guild of assassins known simply as the Coven of Thorns. Matthias saw great potential in Alena more or less as a whipped pup that lacked training, judging by the pain she harbinged for the loss of her beloved family and noted upon her desire to punish those responisble. So he inducted her into the Coven. It was a baptism in blood for Alena. For the next thirteen years, she endured the Coven's brutal and often fatal training regiment, shattering away the innocence of an aristocratic young girl and shaping her down into a weapon of cold lethality. She took upon herself the most daunting of assignments, often times placing her in the thick of peril, yet she would return successful and unscathed. Still, after all these years serving the Coven, she still clung to her main goal, revenge....

_________________________________________________________________________________

Guild Name: The Coven of Thorns
Guild Head: Matthias Grimm
Guild Description: The Coven is a secretive guild of assassins that operates outside Karstberg's authoritative laws, founded by Matthias Grimm, an ex soldier and a notorious murderer. The Coven works within the shadows, dealing with either clandestine operations or accepting contracts from the citizens of Karstberg, but only for a hefty price. They are usually called upon by leaving a written contract with the name of the target, their name, and a bloody hand print left upon the withering Nevermore tree of the old cemetery in the forest, where-upon later they are contacted by an assassin and the assassination is arranged. The amount of coin is collected forward as well. Once the job is complete, the client is given by the assassin as conformation a black rose dipped in the target's blood.

Though outlaws and ruthless killers, the Coven still maintains discipline within their guild and abide by five strict principles known simply as the Black Rose Decree. The Coven is also headed by a superior assassin known as the Ravenhead. The current Ravenhead is Matthias. Upon assuming the mantle of Ravenhead, an assassin is tasked with choosing their successor early, should they fall in battle or die by the hand of another assassin.

~The Black Rose Decree~

1. Never slay your brother or sister of the Coven. This will be seen as betrayal and met with death

2. Never abandon a contract and flee with a client's payment. This will be seen as betrayal and met with death

3. Never elaborate upon the secrets of the Coven unto anyone. This will be seen as betrayal and met with death

4. Never steal from the Coven. This will be seen as betrayal and met with death

5. Never disobey or refuse to carry out the order of the Ravenhead. This will be seen as betrayal and met with death

Formerly, the Coven once resided in a hideout within the city, but due to increasing pressure from the authorities of Karstberg, they were forced to relocate to an abandoned tavern in the surrounding forest, aptly dubbed the Dark-Rose Inn. The tavern was constructed within a cave and sealed with an enchanted slab, allowing entry to only those who know the Coven's password.

[Sam12435]

VitaVitaAR said
After a bit of discussion, we've decided to have western dragons be animals. Large, magical animals that are extremely dangerous, but animals.Eastern dragons, which are much rarer, are intelligent and magic-users. So if his father was a shapeshifted Eastern dragon it works out fine.

Cool :D yea, there aren't too many stories where the western dragons are intelligent, so that works out well :)

[GravityFlux]

Name:Tiberius Winter
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Appearance:

WINTER IS COMING

Thats what he LOOKS like, but he wears:

Profession: Revolutionist
Personality: Tiberius is a rough, cold man with a somewhat contradictory mindset. He is somewhat arrogant, though not extremely, and is very proud of his humanity, although he doesn't have a superiority complex regarding his race. Usually, he's somewhat patient with most people, and is generally decent in his own gruff way even when he doesn't like someone. But he will get very angry if provoked, and that is a sight to see. He absolutely HATES decadence, and believes that nobility and monarchies are flawed.
Equipment/Weapons: He's always got a singlehanded longsword and a disarming knife, usually used together in a dual wield, although he usually never uses them
Abilities: He's a athletic man, with a long stamina and great running speed. He's okay with sword fighting, but mostly depends on his magic, for which he tries to find innovative methods of usability
Brief Backstory: Tiberius Winter, illegitimate son of two high class humans having an affair, Tiberius was always entirely ignored, thought to never exist. His parents took him in, but only so that the rest of the nobility could not use his existence in the constant political war all states go through. He was unloved, and unlike most children in such a cliche position, was alright with it. He wasn't angsty about it, as he had come to hate his parents methods. They were decadent, and cared for nothing other than their own status and food. He, over time, came to not only hate them, but murderously hate their entire lifestyle.

It escalated to such a point that his parent began to become more criminal than politician, which was something that horrified him. He was son and member of a group of CRIMINALS? He, convinced that it was for the greater good, killed them, and burnt their house down. Then, over a span of fifteen years, brought down the corrupt kingship and nobility, and established a democratic socialist country. During this time of upheaval, he began to acquire tools for his now-to-soon-become trade. He learnt the way of magic from a couple of his fellow revolutionists and some books acquired from some foreign merchants, although it was a very small time, and his capabilities were small. But, as time went along, his powers and learning progressed. But even till date, he never learnt full mastery

At the end of the entire road, when he had finally accomplished his job, he could not bring himself to accept the fame that people wished to give him. He believed himself to be unfit to rule in any way, being too cold hearted and active.

He then proceeded to leave his city of birth, and travel around the world, in search of a better place to reside in. Over these travels, he had instigated two revolutions, both of which he left due to his lack of purpose. But when he arrived in Karstburg on a slight vacation, he had an epiphany. Just simply being a tool of the masses in cities was not enough. He decided that he would create an organized international union, something that would finally create a better world, faster, and in a less violent way. He'd make this..... organization, and christen it the "Guild Of Freedom". And its birthplace would be Karstburg, a city he felt to be peaceful and populous, therefore a good starting place for it

---

Magic Name: Electron Control
Magic Description: The user is capable of controlling the movement and physical make-up of electrons, or for a better, more understandable explanation, control of electricity, and its by-product of the electromagnetic force. He does so by pure force of will and thought, although SOME physical movement is required. This is a relatively easy to create magic, requiring little energy from its user, except to instigate the change, thanks to the abundance of atomic particles (Duh, we're made of them). However, the weird part about this control is the lack of ability to use the electron control to change the fundamental make up of the universe and the actual atoms, thereby making matter conversion impossible.

Alright, I'll be honest. Bios are the thing I hate, mostly. In an RP, I always do terribly on apps, but I can assure you that I RP FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR better.
I have a couple of examples at my disposal, which I'd be happy to show if asked of me.

[VitaVitaAR]

@Rusulka: Alright, I actually like the bio very much up until... certain parts of the history. While I don't have much of a problem with the parents being killed, Rin and I are very uncomfortable with an element you included the backstory, the line referencing how the killers "had their way" with Marianne. It's not what either of us saw in reference to tone in the RP and the throwaway mention makes both of us uncomfortable. That said, I do not mind the parents having been killed.

As for the assassins themselves, I'll need to think more on that.

@Sam: Alright, that's fine with Rin and me. Accepted.

@GravityFlux: To begin with, his picture is really anachronistic and you don't really comment on it not being what he wears or anything like that. Then, I'm really kind of confused as to why a revolutionary against monarchies would come to Karstberg, which is ruled by a Lord Mayor who answers to a council and is not a monarchy at all really. His backstory seems tonally off from how the RP is intended to be, and both Rin and I are especially confused by the drugs. While there were drugs in the time period this takes place in, there weren't very many and I'm not sure why nobles would be involved in it. This doesn't really fit the setting.

As for the magic, it... doesn't fit really either. It's too scientific, for one thing, even though sciences certainly exist electrons aren't exactly something anyone would be aware of. Magic isn't really an inherent ability, either, which is what this seems to be. You can be born good at magic, but you still have to learn how to do it. You'd just get better at it more quickly then others. Magic is freeform, but it's still something that needs to be learned in the setting.

[GravityFlux]

VitaVitaAR said
@Rusulka: Alright, I actually like the bio very much up until... certain parts of the history. While I don't have much of a problem with the parents being killed, Rin and I are very uncomfortable with an element you included the backstory, the line referencing how the killers "had their way" with Marianne. It's not what either of us saw in reference to tone in the RP and the throwaway mention makes both of us uncomfortable. That said, I do not mind the parents having been killed.As for the assassins themselves, I'll need to think more on that.@Sam: Alright, that's fine with Rin and me. Accepted.@GravityFlux: To begin with, his picture is really anachronistic and you don't really comment on it not being what he wears or anything like that. Then, I'm really kind of confused as to why a revolutionary against monarchies would come to Karstberg, which is ruled by a Lord Mayor who answers to a council and is not a monarchy at all really. His backstory seems tonally off from how the RP is intended to be, and both Rin and I are especially confused by the drugs. While there were drugs in the time period this takes place in, there weren't very many and I'm not sure why nobles would be involved in it. This doesn't really fit the setting.As for the magic, it... doesn't fit really either. It's too scientific, for one thing, even though sciences certainly exist electrons aren't exactly something anyone would be aware of. Magic isn't really an inherent ability, either, which is what this seems to be. You can be born good at magic, but you still have to learn how to do it. You'd just get better at it more quickly then others. Magic is freeform, but it's still something that needs to be learned in the setting.

Ah, yes, I was planning on commenting on the pic. I was tired by all that, so I must have forgotten
Also, yeah, drugs= The equivalent
Clothes= He was supposed to wear this:

Stuff

But I must have forgotten
For the Revolution, I said at the end that he traveled the world, so he only engages in revolutionary activities at some time, so he was just passing by Karstburg. However, when he noted that the city was full of people, it struck him that he could make an organization that would be more international. So, he decided to stay, and start it in Karstburg. Though it'll take a lot of time and money
And finally, the magic. I didn't realize that it wasn't an inherent ability, so lemme go change that. Thats about it. And explanation of it? Well, I tried to explain it in a much more "fantasy" way, but I failed entirely at it, and used the same sci-fiish method of magic explanation that I usually do. It basically lightning manipulation.

Wow, I'm terrible at this all of a sudden. I wonder why I'm doing badly.

[Rusalka]

VitaVitaAR said
@Rusulka: Alright, I actually like the bio very much up until... certain parts of the history. While I don't have much of a problem with the parents being killed, Rin and I are very uncomfortable with an element you included the backstory, the line referencing how the killers "had their way" with Marianne. It's not what either of us saw in reference to tone in the RP and the throwaway mention makes both of us uncomfortable. That said, I do not mind the parents having been killed.As for the assassins themselves, I'll need to think more on that.

I had a feeling it may have been too dark myself honestly, and it is a bit too much info on the backstory. I can go ahead and take that out. Thank you for your concern Vita. ^_^

[Regendorf]

Name: Ezel Pard
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Race:

Granock

Their homeland Gnox is an immense alcove hidden several miles under the earth. The first contact with an ambassador from the surface, some 3 centuries, was a total fiasco leading to an all out war between Gnox and the now forgotten country. Gnox It self was also destroyed and the few surviving Granocks have spread out on the surface.
The life expectancy of a Granock is quite high, most rivaling elves as long as their recklessness in battle doesn't kill them.
In Granock ''modern'' society once a child has reoached the age of 15 he is urged to leave his home and prove his mettle against whatever he can find. Upon bringing in enough trophies the child would be accepted into the adults ranks. A great honor.

Appearance: A granite textured "skin" covers him from head to toe. Looking at his face you could swear it was chiseled to perfection, well the grannock sense of perfection that is. Small black stalactite like protrusions that form a mustache and goatee. Otherwise he is hairless even in his breaches. Other than his brown leather apron there is only one item he would never part with. The cigar in the corner of his mouth.

Images

(Ignore armor)

Profession: Blacksmith
Personality: His personality is even coarser than his skin, thus one should not expect any curtsies from him. His manner of speaking lacks any "beating around the bush", cutting as straight as any of his creations. Thou that might not be as bad as one would think since most of the time he expresses himself through monosyllabic lines. A life of work in the smithy has taught him that perseverance is a must in everything. Thus one should be rather thoughtful before angering him. Although he is slow to act, once in battle his recklessness gets the better of him quite fast. But to be franc this is the grannock way...
Equipment/Weapons: Self forged gauntlets. The very best that can be forged from common material. Should be considered as a gear that is not enchanted/socketed. Should the chance appear to augment his weapons he will jump to the occasion.
Abilities:
Smithing: Repairing, forging and socketing of any item.
Melee Fighting and Grapples: True to his nature Ezel prefers up in your face tactics, his huge demeanor allowing him to topple most any humanoid target with ease.

Brief Backstory: Ezel was no exception to the will of the old. Thus at the coming of age he took his leave, but unlike most other Granock offspring, he took the highroad to a much different kind of jungle. Karstberg.
In the big city he quickly obtained work as an apprentice at the smithy run by Zlatomir Dvorkin. Here he spent most of his following years. As the years past Ezel was taken many a'time by his Master to find special materials or just mine the ore they needed. At the time of his arrival in Karstberg parleys had already started between the various non magical artisans. Zlatomir was selected to be the first Guild Leader of the Artisan's Guild. With a last test Zlatomir was satisfied with Ezel's advancement and took his hand off him leaving him to work the small smithy alone. To this day Ezel has one wish and one wish only, to be able to join the Artisan's Guild and become its leader. But his efforts until now were to no avail.
Magic: None...so far

Religion: One could say that Granock are atheists, but in fact they do believe in something with ardor...in themselves. They regard those that bend their spine to illusionary beings as weak willed.

Guild Name: Artisan's Guild
Guild Head: Zlatomir Dvorkin
Guild Description: The Guild Leader being the example for everyone, they leave their personal shops and goals to strive for the revolution of technology. In the last couple of years the quality of the items produced by the Guild has become legendary. Unsettling rumors have started to spread about a hidden agenda. But since none have been proven they are dismissed as old wives tales.

[VitaVitaAR]

@GravityFlux: We'll look things over again when it's edited.

@Rusulka: Okay, the bio itself is fine with that removed. As for the assassins, they're probably a good gauge of what level of darkness is acceptable, since they're probably the darkest thing we will accept.

As a reminder to everyone else considering signing up, this RP is intended to be mostly fairly light.

@Regendorf: We'll look it over more when it's finished.