[OOC] The Zea of Worlds

[RangingWolf]

@Shoryu technology level of equestria? perhaps a bit more lore

[Double]

So I've been racking an idea around in my brain about a Crystal Pony to add to this little venture. Why a Crystal Pony? I'll be honest, I just think a Crystal Pony would have a more interesting color palette than a normal one. I had even thought about making them some kind of Astronomer type who maybe lives in an observatory complete with a comically big telescope for star gazing. Would definitely give them the means for spotting the ships falling out of the sky and their fascination with space would motivate them to investigate. But that's where I'm running into problems. I can't think of any other personality traits to give this pony. Maybe they like studying the unknown and possibly solving a few riddles and mysteries along the way? Also, I am totally stumped on species and cutie mark. I'm pretty sure Unicorn makes the most sense for species... but I also don't want to come across as a Twilight clone. The cutie mark is giving me the same issue. Something related to space or astronomy would be appropriate, but again I don't want to come across as a hollow Twilight clone.

[Shoryu]

@Shoryu technology level of equestria? perhaps a bit more lore

@RangingWolf

Ah! Good point! Thanks for that ;3 I'll edit that in shortly!

[Jaredthefox92]

<Snipped quote by Jaredthefox92>

Heh, simple enough XD I imagine the local guards would be at work keeping civilians from wandering off like ninnies to check it out, but I suspect he wouldn't care much about that XD

@Shoryu

Yeah, and Grief is a "pest" to everyone so they wouldn't care if he's distracted. As for his mother and everyone else, eh that's a bit too much to think about.

[Shoryu]

So I've been racking an idea around in my brain about a Crystal Pony to add to this little venture. Why a Crystal Pony? I'll be honest, I just think a Crystal Pony would have a more interesting color palette than a normal one. I had even thought about making them some kind of Astronomer type who maybe lives in an observatory complete with a comically big telescope for star gazing. Would definitely give them the means for spotting the ships falling out of the sky and their fascination with space would motivate them to investigate. But that's where I'm running into problems. I can't think of any other personality traits to give this pony. Maybe they like studying the unknown and possibly solving a few riddles and mysteries along the way? Also, I am totally stumped on species and cutie mark. I'm pretty sure Unicorn makes the most sense for species... but I also don't want to come across as a Twilight clone. The cutie mark is giving me the same issue. Something related to space or astronomy would be appropriate, but again I don't want to come across as a hollow Twilight clone.

@Double

oh hai :D You posted appeared just intime for me to miss it because it appeared behind my own XD lesse here!

I think a Twilight Clone would need more similarities than astronomy themed and adores learning, It sounds fine to me :D and it could actually be a really fitting archetype to have while wandering between worlds >3>

I find that people tend to worry 'too much' about 'Is my character too similar to these other ones' instead of focusing on the most important detail, being 'will it be fun for you to play', and secondary one of 'will it break the setting of the RP enough to make it less fun for others.' [I don't think it will XD... I mean, maybe if you popped out 'Princess Mary sue the rainbow alicorn of eternity' or something goofy like that, heheh, but i don't think anyone needs to worry about that. ;3 ]

[WanderingDragon]

@Double Hm... Based on what I've seen, a unicorn or even a Pegasus that can tap into the power of space/the stars/gravity/etc would be pretty interesting. Also, what do you think about making this pony a conspiracy theorist or doomsday prepper? I'm just throwing ideas for the sake of it right now.

As for the cutie-mark... That will need some thinking.

[Double]

WIP Character

Name: Astral Gleam
Species: Crystal Pony (Unicorn)
Age: ?

Source: MLP

Appearance Description: Astral's cutie mark depicts a stylized nebula. It's a rather fitting representation of his field of astronomy, but also his obsession with mystery and puzzles, as nebula's are very mysterious space phenomena.

Personality: Very studious and seemingly a cynic, but that's really only the surface. Around friends or those he is close to, Astral is very a kind and friendly pony, par for the course for his kind really. His main issue is having a bit of an obsessive personality, particularly with puzzles and riddles. He views everything as just another question to answer, or another puzzle to solve, and that typically means treating people or ponies like a chess player treats his game pieces. This rubs most ponies the wrong way, many not wishing to stick around someone so controlling or hard to work with. There is a nicer side, it's just buried underneath a thick layer of ice and thorns.

Backstory: Astral's personal history is a little strange. Like most Crystal Ponies, he was actually born over a thousand years ago during the reign of Princess Amore. As for any any Non-Alicorn pony could live for so long, well he actually has King Sombra to thank for that. A unicorn named Sombra embraced dark magic and used its power to usurp the throne of the Crystal Empire from Amore. Amore's fate to this day remains unknown, but before Sombra could turn his attention to the rest of Equestria he was defeated by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Unknown to them at the time, Sombra put a curse on the Crystal Empire that caused it and its citizens to vanish right along with him. The Empire didn't reappear again until a thousand years later. When it did, Sombra reawakened along with it, and he tried to regain his grasp over the Empire and the Crystal Ponies. Thankfully, the Empire was saved by Princess Twilight Sparkle, though she wasn't a Princess yet at the time. Her efforts, or more specifically those of her assistant Spike, allowed for the resurrection of the Crystal Heart which destroyed King Sombra once and for wall. After this, the Crystal Empire was then ruled by Amore's descdent, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence for short; along with her husband Shining Armor.

It was the experience of Sombra's curse that perhaps turned Astral Gleam into the cynic he is now known for being. Enslavement on top of find oneself a thousand years out of time is understandably a traumatic experience. Really it's a miracle that more of the Crystal Ponies didn't turn out the way Astral did. But that experience has caused the Crystal Unicorn to live like a recluse more than most of his peers and colleagues. He was still quite brilliant in his field, but Astral's eccentric and often controlling behavior made him near impossible to work with. Also thanks to Sombra's curse, Astral can barely even recall how he got his cutie mark. He remembered it being at night, and that was he was star-gazing while also studying the Crystal Heart, but the rest is a haze. Not that it really matters anymore, Astral knew even a thousand years later that his passion was space and solving the mysteries that lie beyond the stars.

~Power Section~

Skills: Astral is an avid star-gazer, not surprising for one within his chosen professional field. He is quite knowledgeable of constellations, the stars themselves being what fascinates him more than anything else. After all, the Sun and Moon are functionally controlled by the Royal Sisters and so there isn't much to be learned about them. The stars? They simply are just there, and so far no pony has discovered any kind of explanation for them, magical or otherwise. Other celestial bodies too, such as comets, asteroids, or meteors, are also steeped in mystery and do not appear to be linked to any form of magic like the Sun and Moon are.

Traits: Astral has an eye for little details, quite useful for someone who's job involves watching the night sky and actively looking for any strange phenomena. This sometimes also translates to reading facial expressions and spotting little tells that someone maybe lying or hiding something.

Powers: Apart from the basic Unicorn magic, Astral has practiced some of the more advanced spells such as teleportation, though he will freely admit that his mastery of such spells are a bit lacking. Although there is one particular spell he quite fond of, a projection spell that allows him to generate virtually any kind of scenery within a room. They are just illusions, and the content is generally tied to his own knowledge of whatever it is he is projecting, but it is quite useful for creating visual aids when giving a lecture or similar scenario.

Equipment: Spellbook, a handful of Astronomy books, a handheld telescope, and a quill and several notebooks for recording notes and other such research entries.

As the hider implies, this is still a working progress. But these are the ideas I have for the moment.

Edit: I'm not even sure I want to use that image, even. Not a fan of the musical note cutie mark.

[thedman]

@Double Well, it looks pretty good to me. One option is to describe any differences with the picture and how they actually look in the "appearance description" section.

[Rune_Alchemist]

@Shoryu
Hmm...

Well this has gained my tentative interest. If you have room for one more, I wouldn't mind throwing my hat into the ring for what looks to be a world-hopping multiverse sorta deal.

[thedman]

@Rune_Alchemist Sure, go ahead. We're still open (unless I'm mistaken, but I'm pretty sure we're still open).

[Double]

The only cutie mark idea I can think of is something like a constellation in the shape of a puzzle piece. Basically I want something that combines space with puzzles/mysteries and that's the only idea for that that comes to mind.

[thedman]

Honestly, I think a star-related cutie mark would be fine. It doesn't have to represent every talent or interest they have.

Alternatively, a stylized nebula might work, as nebulas are mysterious and conceal what's inside them.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Well, I'll get up a CS and stuff up tomorrow. Already know what I'm gonna be doing~

[thedman]

@Rune_Alchemist Good to hear it!

[WanderingDragon]

Yaaaay, more players.

Question: Any chance of us meeting any characters from the series? Also, after this event is concluded, will we continue on to other scenarios? I'm tinkering with an idea for an event/scenario

[Shoryu]

Well, I'll get up a CS and stuff up tomorrow. Already know what I'm gonna be doing~

@Rune_Alchemist

I recognize you! It's been a good while xD

yeah there's room XD you might be the last actually, I don't wanna get 'too' big, but anyone else can still be on retainer in case someone leaves, or possibly later on things will hit a status that makes room for additional people to fill new roles >3>

For now! I only need to apply touch-ups to my CSes and I should be ready to go myself. I don't know that I'll be able to start tommorrow [mom's birthday, She's probably going to monopolize my time.] But saturday for certain!

[thedman]

@Shoryu Alright, that makes sense. Maybe you can approve the CS'es that are already done in the meantime?

[WanderingDragon]

Okay, did some edits on Escotto's appearance, and the mechanics of his Gold Dragon Stance.

[Rune_Alchemist]

@Shoryu

Heey friend, it indeed has been awhile!

And I finally finished her, so take a look. Feel free to tell me what ya think, I won't bite. Since everyone seemed to go for a more techy look for off-worlders, decided to throw in a more magical entity into the mix.

Shael

Name:
'Jester' Shael'Sallatha

Species:
Sel'Ebon

Age:
63

Source:
Original

Appearance Description:
Standing at a tall, graceful 6'5, Shael is fairly average as far as her own species goes. Weighing in at just 100lbs even, Shael is a lanky, but graceful if not physically adept creature. Though hardly ever seen, her skin is the color of obsidian, with bright blue eyes. Normally seen wearing simple, regal clothing reminiscent of what one might call a 'jester'. She has long, unusually styled white hair with ornaments braided into it. It's hard to tell where her clothing ends and the skin begins.

Personality:
Evasively playful, and needlessly wordy would be a good way to describe Shael upon first impression. Indeed, she does her job of being a jester well, often replying with witty and mildly sarcastic remarks, poking fun at others and herself. Otherwise friendly and chatty though, she'll always be up for idle banter and doesn't take things too seriously.

Like most of the Ebon Consortium, she is always looking for information, understanding mysteries, and other academic and scholarly pursuits. She has a healthy curiosity about her and loves learning about almost anything, no matter what it is. This can often get her into some odd or otherwise not exactly helpful situations as she has a tendency to do whatever she wants.

Backstory:
Born and raised on the Solar Synchronous planet of Sal'Xanits, within the territory of the Ebon Consortium, Shael has never been anything special compared to the rest of the Ebon. But perhaps that's what makes her more useful or rather, more skillful than her kin to have once attained the position of Adviser to the President. She has trained most of her life in matters of diplomacy, state affairs, and even military tactics, but her main role has always been as always, to study, advise, and ensure the Presidents well being - until she quit.

It wasn't until a group of human explorers came to their planet did they themselves gain an interest in the stars. After a brief, but otherwise successful exchange and quelling of a rebellion by two other species that inhabit the planet, they built their own star ship and set off to explore. Enthralled by the humans technology and with a thirst for knowledge, Shael left the Presidents side and with command of her own ship, was ordered to catalog anything she came across in the galaxy.

Power section

Skills:
Academic:
A wide type skill that encompasses many academic, scientific, and scholarly pursuits. Shael has studied everything from physics, biology, and other similar scientific pursuits. Can reasonably understand and figure out most physical phenomena, even those relating to magical 'sciences'. As after all, magic is just phenomena not yet documented or understood by science.

Diplomat/Negotiator:
Oddly charismatic, Shael has a tendency to say what is needed to both get a point across and allow two different parties to come to a mutual understanding. After all, violence is not conducive to proper scientific study...save for when it is.

Sel'Ebon Arts:
While not really suited to fighting, the Ebon do have some forms of martial arts for self defense. It focuses more on quick, elegant moves, acrobatic maneuvers and avoiding physical confrontations. The Ebon are naturally flexible and while physically frail, are quick witted and not entirely pushovers as one might expect. However, even so, their physical strength is still lacking and rely on their more 'magical' abilities to win confrontations.

Otherworldly Chef:
Was a skilled cook. However, she is not used to human ingredients, and as such, you should likely not eat anything she makes with them.

Traits:
Flexibility & Agility:
At times, it can seem like the Sel'Ebon have no bones, with how gracefully and how unnaturally they can seem to move with impossible feats of acrobatics. It stems from a natural flexibility, and a bone structure that is incredibly light and has more joints and muscles designed for agility than the human skeleton.

Mental Fortitude:
Although many times it can seem as though Shael is not taking things seriously or focused, one should keep in mind she was the Presidents adviser and isn't easily manipulated and will not crack under pressure. Most Sel'Ebon share this trait, as their inherent physical weakness means most choose to sharpen their minds.

Physical Weakness:
To put simply, she's not a bastion of physical strength. The Ebon are not a physically inclined species, always relying on their more esoteric, mental, and negotiating skills to solve problems. She can barely lift 20lbs without straining herself. Likewise, her bone structure is not designed to take any sort of extreme trauma and she could be injured fairly easily.

Quick Learner:
All Sel'Ebon have a natural capacity to understand many things ranging from math, science, philosophies - you can always expect one to pick up on new information presented to the quite easily.

Powers:
Crepusculum Codex:
The planet Sal'Xanits is a curious thing full of many rare happenstances that most planets would only have one of. Solar Synchronous orbit. Three different, yet similar forms of sentient and intelligent life. An abundance of a rare otherworldly mineral that allows these almost ethereal, fey like people to live comfortably. All forms of life on this planet can tap into this natural energy in some way. The Sel'Ebon call theirs the 'Twilight Codex'. A book of skills and otherworldly effects that can be performed by drawing on this power.

Crepusculum Codex:

Ars IV, Vell Visus - A simple spell that allows one to see in low light conditions.

Ars XXXIII, Falsa Aurorae - A spell that creates false copies of the wielder. While they have no substance, it is difficult to detect them through normal means using the five senses. Other methods may be marginally more successful if they can differentiate energy/magic from physical beings.

Ars XII, Crepusculum Occultat - A spell designed to minimize ones presence. Does not offer true invisibility, but rather it's a sort of cognition inhibitor. It creates a cloak around one that simply makes it more difficult for people to consciously recognize a persons existence. Could walk down a street in broad daylight and not have people notice.

Ars XIII, Opacare Vell - A spell designed for defensive purposes. Puts a barrier around them that lasts so long as the user focuses. Strength varies, but is often sufficient for most medium and small arms fire and trauma.

Ars XXV, Do Framea - An offensive spell that is made of spears of Twilight. A simple but fairly powerful art with surprisingly good penetrating power. Her most often used offensive spell simply for its versatility and effectiveness.

Ars XXVIII, Gloam Aqua - Both a utility and offensive spell. Summons a ball of dusk-kissed water to be used in various ways. The cooling waters can be used to cleanse the body, heal poisons, and invigorate the drinker. Yet, it can also be used as a weapon if enough is manipulated. Manipulating enough for large scale fighting however, is quite difficult and draining.

Ars I: Finis - An art that is technically forbidden, and was the first one developed by the first of the Sel'Ebon. Summoning a powerful singularity, it will begin to suck in nearly anything around it until the user closes it or its void has been filled. Incredibly dangerous to use, and the user can easily loose control of it. Said to have been used by an old hero to swallow a sun, and secure the Sel'Ebons dominance on their planet. Things sucked into the singularity will be drawn into a twilight lit void that is difficult to escape from.

Equipment:
N/A

Eventide

Ship name:
Eventide

Origin:
Ebon Consortium

Captain:
Jester Shael'Sallatha

Size:
Corvette - recon class.

Source of Long range Travel:
Standard Magitech wormhole tunnel. Creates a wormhole to jump from point A to point B.

Offensive Modules:
Several magitech laser batteries and a smaller Railgun.

Defensive Modules:
Like their creators, they are designed to be sleek and fast, with an emphasis on maneuverability. While its physical structure is lacking, it makes up for it in some fairly durable magic-assisted shielding. Has a chameleon camouflage, but requires the ship to move slowly to be effective, as well as the shields can be used to deflect traditional radars from detecting it at cost of effectiveness.

Original Crew:
25

How any Crew remain:
13, including Shael.

Ebon Consortium

Name:
Ebon Consortium

Origin:
Sal'Xanits, Ebon Consortium

Population:
13 left of the Eventide

Important Members:
Jester Shael'Sallatha

Available Gear:
- Energy Rifles, carried by every crew member. Some destroyed in crash, perhaps salvageable.
- Military Grade 3D Printer. Put raw materials and blueprints in, completed product comes out. Slightly damage, but still usable.
- 5 Obsidian-grade military suits.

Resources:
- Various scientific and research equipment of physical and magical nature.
- Stores of food for a few months. Most were saved from harm during the crash.
- munition for rifles

Knowledge:
A plethora of intact databases on the ship regarding many scientific topics.
The ability to both teach and refine magical things, should one have capacity for it
The ability to read and interact with otherwise magical things

[WanderingDragon]

@Rune_Alchemist Wow, that's actually pretty interesting for a character.