Indicted, chained, and condemned,
You were days away from the mercy of execution.
When a man in crimson-lined black offered you a bargain.
For the promise of absolution, you must journey on an impossible mission.
Over the Unbreakable City, across godless seas, beyond the iron grip of the Empire.
To assassinate an Eternal King, who reigns over a deathless kingdom.
You were days away from the mercy of execution.
When a man in crimson-lined black offered you a bargain.
For the promise of absolution, you must journey on an impossible mission.
Over the Unbreakable City, across godless seas, beyond the iron grip of the Empire.
To assassinate an Eternal King, who reigns over a deathless kingdom.
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CHARACTER CREATION
"Walkers of the Wyrld. Tell me who you are."
Please read the rules first! I will PM you the CS because it is too messy to include here.
-Bloodline-
HUMANITYChildren of the Gods
Descended from the Five Gods of the Imperial Panteon, Humans are the most dominant race across the Wyrld. As a sign of their versatility, humans are able to allocate an extra point in either Inclination or Trade.
By the whims of fate, humans are born though various stations. Whether as nobles privileged by the wealth and knowledge of their station, warriors tempered by scars and memories of battle, tradesmen armed by guile and cunning, or slaves - the lowest of the low, cast from the guilty and the damned. Beyond the oppressive safety of the Empire, many wander the Wyrld as monster slayers, fortune hunters, or reavers, clawing for another breath of life any way they could.
By the whims of fate, humans are born though various stations. Whether as nobles privileged by the wealth and knowledge of their station, warriors tempered by scars and memories of battle, tradesmen armed by guile and cunning, or slaves - the lowest of the low, cast from the guilty and the damned. Beyond the oppressive safety of the Empire, many wander the Wyrld as monster slayers, fortune hunters, or reavers, clawing for another breath of life any way they could.
Humans of the Empire
Imperial Culture champion the enduring dominance of the human spirit, the strict power of law, and reverence to the Five Gods - each a different aspect of human virtue, and all portrayed by a human face. To depict them otherwise is to commit heresy, for only heathens worship the bestial and depraved. Warriors in the Empire are trained to use both sword and spear, to fight in one of the 50 Legions as one cohesive, impenetrable phalanx. They are taught to champion the needs of the Many over the needs of One, and they believe that magic is an art that should be restricted to the service of the Gods, and never towards the detriment of Man. These two aspects combined lead to the Empire greatly championing the supportive magic of Miracles over the 'selfish', destructive power of the Occult.
Humans of the Free March
Those who live beyond the borders of Imperial territory are known as Freemarchers. Often dismissed by Imperial scholars as mere 'barbarians', every tribe and clan in the Marches carry their own culture, mores, and traditions, which do not always align with the standards of the Empire. Life in the Marches is often short and fraugt with danger; be it from Imperial expansion, hordes of Accursed, or the beasts and monsters of the wild. Compared to the disciplined, collectivist mindset of the Empire, Freemarchers lean towards self-reliance, as well as the preservation of the self and/or one's own tribe, above all else.
ACCURSEDChildren of the Forgotten
Shunned by the Gaurean Empire and feared by all, the accursed are born from humans, yet overtly betray inhuman taint.
The accursed possess bestial traits over a generally humanoid body plan, as well as the curse of an elemental weakness that is countered by a resistance to every other elements. Fire is a common weakness to many Accursed, perhaps as the consequence of centuries of purges.
Whether shrouded in fur with claws that rake through iron, or scaled from head to toe breathing tongues of fire, marks of the curse manifest in varying yet unmistakable ways. Often bestial, and frequently bizarre. Many accursed live terrible and tragically short lives, allowed to grow as fodder for war, exploited for labour, or sacrificed after birth to the Five Gods. Many embrace the hatred heaped onto them to become feared warlords and sorcerers. Yet others found peace in the fringes of society; on their lonesome, or amongst dying cults of forgotten gods.
The accursed possess bestial traits over a generally humanoid body plan, as well as the curse of an elemental weakness that is countered by a resistance to every other elements. Fire is a common weakness to many Accursed, perhaps as the consequence of centuries of purges.
Whether shrouded in fur with claws that rake through iron, or scaled from head to toe breathing tongues of fire, marks of the curse manifest in varying yet unmistakable ways. Often bestial, and frequently bizarre. Many accursed live terrible and tragically short lives, allowed to grow as fodder for war, exploited for labour, or sacrificed after birth to the Five Gods. Many embrace the hatred heaped onto them to become feared warlords and sorcerers. Yet others found peace in the fringes of society; on their lonesome, or amongst dying cults of forgotten gods.
The 108 Tribes
Most Accursed choose to live beyond the borders of the Empire - even when they are born otherwise - scattered amongst 108 Tribes that roam the Free Marches. The temperament and hostility of each tribe varies. Some attack the Imperial banner on sight, others are hostile to all humans, but most want nothing more than to be left alone, even if conflict proves inevitable. A number of the tribes have gathered into an alliance to break through Hagal's Wall, a giant fortress-city located on the eastern and northern edges of the Empire, for reasons yet unknown.
Marks of the Curse
The curse manifest not only in a bestial appearance, but also inborn powers and elemental weakness. Some documented examples of Curses are:
Curse of the Dragon: Bearers of this curse are able to exhale the element that isn't their weakness (fire, ice, lightning, poison, bronze) as an offensive tool.
Curse of the Blood: Bearers of this curse recover from injuries and exhaustion much faster, but their elemental weakness is twice as strong.
Curse of the Twin Moons: Bearers of this curse are able to shift between two forms; one more bestial and the other more human.
Curse of the Dragon: Bearers of this curse are able to exhale the element that isn't their weakness (fire, ice, lightning, poison, bronze) as an offensive tool. Curse of the Blood: Bearers of this curse recover from injuries and exhaustion much faster, but their elemental weakness is twice as strong. Curse of the Twin Moons: Bearers of this curse are able to shift between two forms; one more bestial and the other more human.-Inclination-
WARFARE
The path of the warrior. Face your enemies head-on with sword, spear, bow, or even your bare hands. Those who specialise in Warfare possess the endurance to survive multiple and prolonged battles.
SKULLDUGGERY
The path of cunning. Achieve victory at all cost, through stealth, misdirection, and backstabbing. Those who specialise in Skullduggery are fleet-footed, and canny with poisons and traps.
MIRACLES
The path of the divine. Harness magic to mend wounds, turn the unholy, and bolster the defense and offense of your allies. Those who specialise in miracles are capable of casting more powerful blessings.
OCCULT
The path of the forbidden. Destroy your foes with fire or ice, violate their minds with horrific illusions, warp the laws of life and death to give false life to the dead or the elements. Those who specialise in the Occult are capable of casting more destructive spells.
-Trade-
CHARISMA: The trade of leaders. Carouse and seduce, inspire and deceive, threaten and dominate. Those who are charismatic are born leaders, whether they realise it or not. PLUNDER: The trade of thieves. Cut purses, Open or break locks, spot and remove traps. Those who plunder possess a keen eye for treasure. LORE: The trade of scholars and survivors. Read and write, know history, lore, and legend. Distinguish between poisonous and non-poisonous herbs, or between antiquity and forgery. There are many subtrades of lore, and few know them all. HANDICRAFT: The trade of craftsmen. Repair weapons and armour, create poisons, potions, or arrows. Cook food.LORE AND CONTEXTThe Gaurean Empire
The dominant power in Western Wyrld, the Empire was formed 200 years ago by Gaureus Caesar the Conqueror; a barbarian chief-turned-Emperor who united scattered human tribes under his cause and drove away the Old Kings of Chaos and their army of Accursed. Today, five distinct Domains make up the Empire, but they are ever-expanding.
Gaureus Gloriam, Skyfather's Capital
The administrative capital of the Empire. A small city of great history and wealth, located on a rugged, mountainous region overlooking great lakes and coasts. Many theatres, temples, castles, and hanging gardens have been erected over the Empire's 200-year history, and their skyline against the sunset could be seen from almost anywhere in the Empire.
Fortis Maximus, Legion's Crucible
A harsh land of arid plains dotted with ancient ruins, where the fiercest and most disciplined warriors of the Empire are trained. This was said to have been the location of Gaureus Caesar the Conqueror's greatest victory, and the 50 Legions pay tribute to that history by using it as the crucible with which to test their mettle.
Meridius Heartlands, Earthmother's Cradle
A forested region with flowing rivers and natural mountains, directly connecting to Gaureus Gloriam, where the Empire sourced much of its timber and fresh water. Before the Empire's acquisition of the Sirius Crescent, the Heartlands served as its agricultural centre.
Sirius Crescent, Eternity's Bounty
A massive and wealthy region of grain farms, fisheries, and trade unions located on a crescent coast. The Crescent, once the merchant Kingdom of Rhol, willingly joined the Empire to exchange their natural wealth for more trade opportunities, as well as the protection of the 50 Legions.
Hagal's Wall, the Unbreakable City
A great wall stretching through the Empire’s Eastern and northern borders, erected to forever defend against hostile Free Marchers, Tribal Accursed, and wild beasts and monsters. Whilst once a strictly military outpost, the Wall's enduring history and the demands it makes of the Legionnaires stationed there has transformed it into a thriving settlement with the most skilled craftsmen and traders in the Empire.
Magic
Magic of the Wyrld
Magic is the power to bend reality around oneself. It manifests in different ways through different people, and whilst many possess the inclination for it, true power and control can only be honed through a lifetime - or several - of training and discipline.
The Temples' Miracles
Magic use is strictly regulated within the Empire. Temple-approved Miracles are only taught to dedicated healers, wandering battle-priests, and high-ranking paladins. Miracles mend wounds, turn the unholy, and bolster the defense and offense of the caster and their allies. To cast a miracle is to utter a prayer towards the Five Gods, and thus they are expected to be used to aid humans and to achieve victory against undead, beasts, monsters, and the Accursed.
The Sorcery of Five
Occult magic is rarely practiced by the Empire, restricted to the Council of Five; sorcerers who advise the ruler of an Imperial region and answer directly to the Emperor. Each are powerful, paranoid, and jealously guards their secrets with their life, though they are known to occasionally take an apprentice under their wing. To cast Occult magic is to enforce your will upon the world, be it through destructive elements, horrifying illusions, or the begetting of false life. Occult magic is antithetical to the religious piety of the Empire, and those who practice it in Imperial territory must possess the authority of the Five, or be considered a heretic and summarily punished for it.
Arms and Armour
The Five Gods
The Five Gods are the primary religion in the Gaurean Empire, credited by Gaureus Caesar himself as beings who uplifted humanity from barbarism and towards the enlightened glory of the Empire. Worship of the Five Gods is rare amongst the Accursed, yet not unheard of, for reasons ranging from fear, self-loathing, or genuine religious piety.
The Sky Father
The All-father, God of the hope, the sky, and the ambition of Mankind. Patron of the Empire. Represented by an old man with a blindfold and a great beard, carrying a torch. Tenets: possess clarity and purpose. Expand my Empire. Always move forward, never back.
The Earth Mother
The All-Mother, God of grace, the earth and the dominion of Mankind. Patron of leaders. Represented by a woman with long, overflowing hair, wielding a winged spear Tenets: tend to your flock, protect your own. Defend my land. Remember your ancestors.
The Steel Sister
The Sister of Battle, God of war and victory. Patron of warriors. Represented by an armoured woman with two crossed gladiuses. Tenets: achieve victory. Conquer your foes. No mercy for the wicked.
The Brother Reaper
The deliverer of the fallen, God of life and death, harvest and famine, spring and winter. Patron of hunters, farmers, and fishermen. Represented by a cloaked skeleton carrying a sickle and an hourglass. Tenets: work and toil. Provide for the Empire. Respect the cycle of life and death.
The Child Unbloomed
God and Goddess all at once, representing virtue and the keeping of oaths. Protector of the innocent. Represented by an androgynous child holding their palms out. Tenets: honour your promises. Protect the innocent. Give alms to the poor. Beget life.
SPECIAL THANKS Fellow RPGuild user CabbageAngel, for bouncing ideas with me and creating the Character Skeleton. Couldn't have done it without you! Pinterest, for being a fantastic source of images and inspiration. My cat Fergus, for being himself. You, for taking the time to read this.RULES No meta gaming. Do not take over writing for other players' characters without permission. You are free to have between 1-3 characters per player. PM me your character concepts and backstory first, and I will provide you with the Character Skeleton sheet if it is approved. Don't be discouraged if the concept isn't immediately approved, I am happy to workshop it with you. Post at a reasonable rate, and keep your fellow players and me updated. No ghosting, I will reach out. Ghosters who have not updated me in two months shall have their characters removed from the plot in a tonally friendly way (we are on a suicide mission). No bullying, harassment, or discrimination will be tolerated. Original characters only, please do not copy and paste the entire character sheet of Genos from One Punch Man in the roleplay (yes this has happened before). No killing PCs without permission. On that note, character deaths are welcome!