Balthazar007

The Six Crystals

I'm here and accounted for. Been a rough couple of days but I'm gonna start on my character sheet now.

@Renny

Hope things are turning around for you in the real world. Glad to see you!

The Six Crystals

<Snipped quote by Balthazar007>

I think they'd probably have gone their own separate ways. But now that I think about it, the boat thing is pretty important. I'm thinking that bartering for passage with animal skins and/or rare herbs is the most realistoc option.

@Spin The Wheel

Sounds good. So can you add "Travelers Pack/Bag/Satchel" as a key item. Call it what you will, but this way you don't have to list regular survival items, herbs, and such within your inventory.

And you can start with 20 coins, as someone would have tried to buy some of the herbs and stuff off of him. Having heard a little of the importance of money, and since they were trying to buy herbs that were of little value to him, I'm sure he would have made the trade/sell. Or leave your coins at zero if you think he would refuse the buy/trade, up to you.

With these changes, you will be good to post your character to the "Characters" tab.

The Six Crystals

<Snipped quote by Balthazar007>

He's basically fresh off the boat right now, no money to speak of (probably).

@Spin The Wheel

Yeah, you can make his money 0 for now.

How about I make an NPC character sheet for this guy and say we came over on the boat together? If that sounds good to you, describe this guy to me in a little more detail, specifically in regards to his occupation. How did he afford the boat ride, or was it his boat y'all rode on? I'll handle the rest, assuming you want to go this route.

The Six Crystals

Alright, here's what I got so far. Have a look and tell me what you think.

Character Sheet Info

Name: Mougin Bighorn
Aliases: None

Race: Beastfolk - Giant Foot tribe
Age: Late Teens (Highland Cow)
Gender: Male

Appearance: Mougin is huge, as all giant foot tribesmen tend to be, though not as large as some species, and somewhat small even when compared to members of his own tribe. The bighorn tribe were originally a cattle species from the highlands, sporting sturdy builds and thick, fluffy fur to block out the wind. Mougin's coat of golden brown fur is particularly fluffy, and his eyes are large and brown. Besides his height, there is little that differentiates him from his brethren, though he usually wears clothes, whereas they do not. When he takes human form he turns into a surprisingly small (rather average for humans, but not any less surprising) and youthful form, though his voice is still very deep.

Crystal: N/A

Current Location: K7, Riotifu port town.
Current Status: Active. Travelling, discovering more about human society.

Faction: None
Occupation: None

Personality: Mougin is quiet, often going days without saying a single word or noise. When he does, he usually does so in simple sentences, partially because he likes being efficient, and partially because his grasp of human language is still fairly loose. He thinks a lot and prefers to be cautious, carefully planning his actions before moving. Unfortunately, this means he can take a long time to come to a decision. He is rather intelligent for his species but is prone to misunderstandings due to a lack of experience. As a result, his common sense often leaves much to be desired. Finally, Mougin doesn't get angry very often, but he can be quite stubborn at times.

biography

The Giant Foot tribe are often thought to be gentle giants, unworryingly living their lives away from outside influences. And, well, that's mostly true. The Numgam continent is a blessed land in many respects, and there is a rich variety of tribes occupying the continent's every environment. In the center of the continent lies The Mountain (that was what the tribes called it, because it was the only mountain they knew), an immense rock that towers over the forest beneath it. A somewhat barren environment, it is nonetheless occupied by several different tribes, most notably the Bighorn tribe. As descendents of highland cattle, they were well suited to the barren, rocky environment and took quite well to it, though not as well as the nearby mountain goat tribe. Nevertheless, they settled, ate, and prospered. and eventually, Mougin was born.

At a young age Mougin had already explored the whole mountain range, and was promptly bored. Despite looking like just another Giant Foot beastman, he had been born with what most wouldn't have for their entire lives - a burning curiosity. Unfortunately for young Mougin, there was nothing around to sate his curiosity. Rocks, trees, birds, and little else. With nowhere to turn to, he retreated into his mind. After thinking, and thinking, and thinking some more, he became a strange person to his tribesmen. Day in and day out he sat on the mountain and stared into the horizon as he thought. At that time, a traveller appeared on The Mountain. He introduced himself as a philosopher and stayed with the Bighorn tribe for a time. Most of the tribe didn't want anything to do with him, but Mougin stuck to his side like glue. They interacted with each other for most of the traveller's stay, and when he finally left, Mougin also left. He had decided to journey to the lands of the humans, where he believed that he would be able to finally satisfy his curiosity. Most of his tribesmen had never so much as stepped off the mountain, but his steps were light. There was a world of possibility out there, just waiting to be explored.

Key Items:

• None?

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Strength
• Stamina
• Observation

Magical Abilities:

• Strength of the Earth: Draws power from the ground beneath. The stronger the substance below the user, the greater the conferred strength, although metal floors will not allow their strength to be drawn. The user must be touching the floor to be able to use this ability.
• Breath of the Wind: Listen to the voices carried by the wind. In places where air flows, this skill allows the user to listen to faraway speech as if it was nearby. Poor airflow will make it difficult to hear.
• Heart of Fire: Draws out the heat of the heart to warm the user. Useful for keeping warm in cold nights, and to make the user sweat into unconsciousness in summer. If, for some reason, they need to do so.

Inventory:

• Coins: ?
• Large pants
  Beastman sized pants. Pants are essential in human society, after all.
• Normal clothes
  Normal sized human clothes, for the rare occassions when Mougin takes a human form.

Not sure what kind of power level we're working with in terms of magic, but I tried to err on the weaker side since I'll probably be more of a physical guy.

@Spin The Wheel

I like your character a lot, and your writing is easy to read.

There are only a few things that need tweaked. His race would be "Beastfolk: Highland Cow", and his faction would be "Giant Foot Tribe: Bighorn".

I'm going to say his species, on average, lives to be about 125 years old. This explains why he would look young in human form despite being in his late teens. That being said, can you simply put his age down as a number? (E.g. "17")

Also you didn't put any Key Items, which you don't need. However, I could imagine that traveler could have given him a weapon, staff, amulet, or something else if you would like, and it can be a magic item of some sort. I leave that up to you.

Finally, how long would you say it's been since he left Numgam? This will help me with deciding his starting coins.

The Six Crystals

@Renny@Spin The Wheel@Vec@Neianna86@Crimson Flame@Sanity43217@ARedneckWizard@Inertia

Alrighty then!

When you click the "World Map" hider, you will now find another hider called "Map Key". Click on that, and you will find all the cities and strongholds marked on the map. I'll do elf villages one at a time, as I have someone who wants to make a character from one of them. Who are my elf players again? Let me know if that's you.

Tomorrow, right at midnight (Eastern Time), I will post the first IC post. Anyone with an approved character at that time, can go ahead and start posting. And here is the synopsis of the story:

We will begin on a day called Armistice's Eve, the day before the world wide holiday, Armistice Day. As the name suggests, Armistice Day is a ceasefire day between the two warring nations in the Great War. Armistice's Eve is also called the day of retreat, where fighting is supposed to start grinding to a halt. Cities all over the world will be preparing their feasts and festivities. Some will have already gotten an early start.

Wherever you wish to start your character is completely up to you, but I'd suggest finding at least one other partner willing to start at the same location. This way you have someone besides me and my NPCs to interact with. That being said, if you want to lone wolf it, I'm perfectly happy to provide you with NPCs to interact with.

The Six Crystals

@Renny@Spin The Wheel@Vec@Neianna86@Crimson Flame@Sanity43217@ARedneckWizard@Inertia

When you click on the world map now you will find descriptions of all the world's largest cities, as well as some of the smaller ones. I will have all the smaller cities included, by the end of the day today.

However, everyone should continue to refrain from choosing a starting location as of yet. Just focus on your character sheets for now, if you have any world questions that would effect their biography though, let me know.

The Six Crystals

Cool, will get a character sheet up soonish. Oh, but first, did you want us to start in a particular city or is anywhere fine? I'll be putting my character in a place where humans are regardless.

@Spin The Wheel

Anywhere will be fine, but don't commit to a location yet. I'll be adding more info to the OOC first post tomorrow, info that will help you decide better.

The Six Crystals

It was a rush job in the end, but we made it happen!

@Renny@Spin The Wheel@Vec@Neianna86@Crimson Flame@Sanity43217@ARedneckWizard@Inertia

I will answer all OOC question here in the main thread from now on. Now, I must get ready for work.

The Six Crystals

Character Creation

Step 1: Post in the OOC section to make sure we are still accepting new players.

Step 2: Create a character sheet with the following information, and post it into the OOC section to await approval:

Character Sheet Info

Name: Full Name. Bold and italicize their preferred name, if it's one of their real names.
Aliases: Nicknames and such. Bold and italicize their preferred name, if it's one of their Aliases.

Appearance: Picture and/or Description

Crystal: Either put "N/A" if they're not a crystal bearer. Or state which crystal they have.

Race: Examples: "Human" "Beastfolk: Tiger" "Waterfall Elf"
Faction: Examples: "Sutisu" "Burning Heart" "Raging Waters Village"
Age: Humans reach adulthood at 18 and can live to be around 100. Elves reach adulthood at 25 and live to be around 300. Beastfolk vary by sub species; let me know what animal they are based upon.
Gender: (Optional)
Occupation: (Optional)

Personality:

One to two paragraph description.

Biography:

Three to five paragraph description. Extra info can be put into sub hiders.

Key Items: What are their most prized possessions (not including a crystal, if they have one)?

• Item A
• Item B
• Item C

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Item A
• Item B
• Item C

Magical Abilities:

• Item A
• Item B
• Item C

Inventory:

These are items they typically carry and must restock from time to time.

• Coins: ? (This is the currency of the game. Based on your Biography, I will assign an amount.)
• Item B
• Item C
• Item C

Step 3: Modify your character sheet as instructed. You'll at least need to update your "coins" in your inventory. Then post your character sheet here in the "Characters" tab.

Crystal Bearers

Orange Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: Unknown
Yellow Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: Leemo City (F5)
Green Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: With the Soaring Wing Tribe
Blue Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: Unknown
Violet Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: With the Riotifu Nation
Red Crystal (Unclaimed) - IC Location: With the Burning Heart Tribe

NPCs

Officer Charles / Location: Tempum City (K7)

Name: Charles Pax
Aliases: The Boy Scout



Crystal: N/A

Race: Human
Faction: Riotifu
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Occupation: Police Officer

Personality:

Charles talks tough, with a gritty voice and a serious tone. He also rarely smiles or jokes. Despite his off-putting attitude, he’s actually quite the softy deep down. Unlike most other police officers in Tempum, he is trying to make the city a better place for everyone.

Biography:

Charles grew up in Lusap City, raised by his uncle, who was a soldier. Most of the year, his uncle would be gone, while Charles stayed in their small two bedroom apartment. Living most of his life alone, in an unforgiving city, he grew up strong. Yet, for as long as anyone can remember, he’s always had a good heart. He would stand up to bullies, when they were picking on the weeker kids in the streets. He even stopped a few muggings. He wasn’t dumb, however. He knew the difference between when he could help and when he would just get himself killed trying.

Once old enough, Charles enrolled in an online criminology program, specifically geared toward becoming a police officer in Tempum City. His uncle approved of his decision, encouraging him to “get as far away from this hell hole as possible. His uncle died in battle, before he could see Charles graduate and accomplish his goal.

This didn’t stop the young man, who walked into the police academy with his head held high at age 19. He did well in the academy, top of his class in every mark. This didn’t make him popular. Instead, he was resented by his peers, often being referred to as Lusap scum. But try as they might, nobody could make him quit, and he graduated with shining colors.

Over the years, he would receive generally the same resentment from his fellow officers, most of them at least. Some of them, on the other hand, have started treating him with more respect, after he saved their lives a few times.

Key Items:

• Customized Tactical Assault Rifle
• Standard Issue Police Suit and Side Arms

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Fierce Determination
• Enhanced Performance (via his suit)
• Hand-to-Hand Combat Expert
• Sharp Shooting

Magical Abilities: N/A

Inventory:

• Coins: 1,500
• Ammunition
• Medical Kit
• Standard Police Gadgets

Mr. Silum / Location: Tempum City (K7)

Name: Conner Silum
Aliases: Boss



Crystal: N/A

Race: Human
Faction: Riotifu
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Occupation: Businessman

Personality:

Polite and friendly on the outside, cold and calculating on the inside, Mr. Silum is not one to be trifled with. He prides himself on being a reasonable man and an expert negotiator. However, those that cross him, are rarely heard from again.

Biography:

Conner Silum is the first born son to one of Tempum City's most notorious families. Known smugglers, they practically run the docks. Despite their notoriety and occasional cruelty, their legitimate business practices have brought the city great wealth. Therefore, the police tend to turn a blind eye to the not so pleasant dealings.

Even at a young age, Conner Silum has always proved himself an able leader. As a child, all the way until his sixteenth birthday, he had body guards that also took their orders from him. After turning sixteen, he was given more underlings and was put in charge of closing minor deals for the family.

Now a full grown adult, Silum has become his father's right hand man. He is known as the family's best closer and always put in charge of the most important missions. He waits for the day that his father will retire, so that he can claim his post at the head of the family.

Key Items:

• Communication Device (It is implanted in his neck and wired straight to his brain.)
• High Tech, Magically Warded Business Suit (bulletproof, impact resistant, and much more)

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Expert Negotiator
• Near Invulnerability (thanks to his suit)
• Deep Pockets & Countless Connections
• Hidden Hi-tech Pistols

Magical Abilities: N/A

Inventory:

• Coins: 1,000,000+
• Ammunition

The Captain / Location: Tempum City (K7)

Name: Bradly Vradko
Aliases: The Captain



Crystal: N/A

Race: Human
Faction: Riotifu
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Occupation: Ship Captain, Body Guard

Personality:

Bradly is a cold-blooded killer. He has no qualms dispatching of anyone who gets in his way. He is also a master manipulator, and he is able to get people to do what he wants. He is a dangerous man, and he is always looking for new ways to expand his power and influence.

Biography:

Bradly was born on the dark streets of Roabria City. His parents were killed by city guardsmen when he was just a child, and he was left to fend for himself. He grew up in a harsh and unforgiving world, where the only way to survive was to be ruthless. He learned to fight and steal at an early age, and he quickly developed a reputation as a dangerous and unpredictable young man.

When he was old enough, Bradly escaped the city on a ship, headed southward down the river to Lusap City. Here, he quickly fell in with a group of mercenaries, and he soon became one of their most trusted members. This time in Lusap only served to further harden his dark desires.

One day, while on a job in Tempum City, Bradly was approached by his now current employer, Conner Silum. Mr. Silum was impressed by Bradly's skills and ruthlessness, and he offered him a job as his personal bodyguard. Bradly accepted the job, though technically he remained a mercenary. Bradly quickly rose through the ranks, and was even given his own ship to captain whenever the job calls for it. He has become one of the most feared and respected members of the organization.

Key Items:

• Nearly Impenetrable Body Armor
• Hi-powered, Tactical Rifle

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Keen Instincts
• Ability to Ignore Pain
• Extremely High IQ

Magical Abilities: N/A

Inventory:

• Coins: 10,000
• Gadgets for Every Occasion
• Ammunition that Lasts

Mr. Strice / Location: Stallo City (D9)

Name: Verus Strice
Aliases: Mr. Strice



Crystal: N/A

Race: Beastfolk: Dog
Faction: Mutrenu / Loyal Tails Tribe
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Occupation: Chief of Staff

Personality:

Verus is high strung to say the least. He is a prime example of a Loyal Tails tribe member, all business. Despite his servant-like status, his will remains strong.

Biography:

Verus was born in Loyal Tails City (their stronghold’s official name), like most Loyal Tails tribe members. His family were servants of the city's ruler, a tradition that he was supposed to uphold. He, however, was quite rebellious, at least when compared to other members of his family.

Instead of staying in Loyal Tails City, in the palace, he wanted to venture out into the world, or see the rest of Mutrenu at the very least. His family resented this decision, considering it beneath him. They saw no greater honor than to serve The Ruler. Leaving the city was what “normal” Loyal Tails members did, going out and eventually submitting to human masters.

Furious at Verus’s constant longing to leave the city, his father gave him an ultimatum. He could leave the city, but if he did, he would be banished forever. It only took one night’s sleep for Verus to make up his mind… and pack his bags. That was twenty five years ago.

Eventually, as most Loyal Tails tribe members often do, Verus found an employer, a wealthy trade merchant named Jorath, who was originally from Sutisu. Jorath immigrated to Mutrenu when he was a young man. Verus saw a bit of himself in this man who had also left his family behind.

Verus has been serving Jorath and his family for nearly twenty years now. He has helped raise the man’s children and seen him divorce twice. Occasionally, Jorath has to hire outside help, when extra security is needed. But Verus is the one these temporary hires must answer to, and he is always keeping a watchful eye on them.

Key Items:

• A durable, yet ornate, uniform
• A saber that can produce invisible, slicing, energy waves.

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Keen Senses
• Quick Reflexes
• Close to Mid-Ranged Expert

Magical Abilities:

• Beastfolk Transformation
• Magical Tracking Tactics
• Rabid Berserker Mode

Inventory:

• Coins: 5,000
• Standard Communication Device
• Favorite Chew Toy (an extremely durable femur bone)

General Bolis / Location: Leemo City (F5)

Name: Pietro Bolis
Aliases: General Bolis



Crystal: N/A

Race: Human
Faction: Sutisu
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Occupation: Chief of Staff

Personality:

Cold and calculating at first glance, Pietro actually operates out of a place of love. He wants to see the Great War come to an end, with Sutisu winning of course. The fighting itself saddens him, but he hides this sadness well.

Biography:

Pietro grew up in Sutisu City, the nation’s capital. He was from a highly respected family that was traditionally made of scholars in the field of science. Even more specifically, they focused on transportation and logistics. In fact, all the public transportation systems of the Sutisu Nation are based on their scientific advancements.

When Pietro came of age however, he decided to take his focus in a slightly different direction. Instead of focusing on public transit, he wanted to carry his family’s legacy into the military. He believed, as he still does to this day, that good logistics can be the key to victory. Having supplies or soldiers reach their destination at the right time was truly crucial.

The reason why Pietro decided to deviate from his family’s normal path is a complete mystery to all. For one with such a distaste for violence, as those that are close to him know, it is that much stranger. Whatever the reason, the young general has been welcomed with open arms. Since he reached the rank of General two years ago, the Sutisu nation has been on the winning side of most battles.

Key Items:

• A high-tech uniform, built for defense.
• Two hidden blasters.

Non-Magical Abilities:

• Genius Level IQ
• Military Grade Combat Training

Magical Abilities:

• Telekinetic Powers
• Mind Reading

Inventory:

• Coins: 300,000
• Ammunition
• Military Issue Communication Device

The Six Crystals

♫ OOC Music ♫

Welcome...

... to Bellum, a planet that is as magical as it is technologically advanced. There are many civilizations on this planet, and many different races that call this rock their own. The three main races you will find here are the humans, the beast-folk, and the elves. However, within each race, there are countless factions and sub-races. The possibilities are quite endless...

Map Key

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Capitol Cities

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Sutisu City (D4)

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On the surface, this sprawling metropolis can only be described as paradise. The streets are literally paved with gold, a golden alloy to be more precise. Robots happily do all the manual labor, while the citizens of this city are either scholars or business executives. When they are not studying or working, they fill their time with shopping, amusement parks, extravagant restaurants, and much more. Citizens enjoy the amusement parks and other activities for free, and shop prices are well within their abundant salaries. Most visitors, on the other hand, will have trouble affording to stay here more than a night or two.

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Riotifu City (K5)

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“Work hard. Play Hard.” That is the motto of Riotifu City. Here you will find glowing signs of all kinds around every corner. The largest buildings in the city are either headquarters for Riotifu business tycoons or casinos and hotels. Robots do all the dirty work here, while the citizens are either “gladiators” or “hackers”. “Gladiators” are competitive gamers, living most of their lives in the VR world. “Hackers” work behind the codes, maintaining the network and/or hacking into the network, for whichever company employs them. Visitors are always overwhelmed with all the city offers, and through countless microtransactions, they tend to walk away with very little left in their pockets.

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Mutrenu City (F9)

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The feel of this city exists somewhere between Sutisu City and Riotifu City. It is clean and polished, without being overly extravagant. It is tech savvy and filled with excitement, without being obscene. Robots, Loyal Tail beastfolk, and human volunteers all work together to keep the shops and sites running. People here walk the streets with an air of confidence, because regardless of what they do for a living, they are all part owners of all the businesses headquartered here. Most visitors of Mutrenu City have an amazing experience. However, visitors are only allowed to stay for limited spans of time, and becoming a citizen is a lengthy process.

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Large Cities

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Mercom City (C5)

This is the Sutisu continent’s primary city for trade with the Mutrenu Continent. While not as lavish as Sutisu City, Mercom is filled with just as many luxuries. Its buildings are decorated with gold, ruby, and diamond, as well as other precious minerals. Visiting this city is a more affordable alternative to its Sutisu City counterpart; although, it’s still not cheap.

Leemo City (F5)

This city houses the continent’s military headquarters and its manufacturing hub. Of course, the majority of its manufacturing goes to support its military force. The architecture of this city is imposing, yet sleek. The buildings, while not ornately decorated with jewels, are still impressive, with gold, platinum, and silver plating. Visitation to this city is strict, but most don’t even try. There isn’t a lot to offer, as far as tourism goes.

Lusap City (I6)

This dark city, located in the swamp lands, is home to many foul souls. There is no crime here, only because there are no laws to break. It is survival of the fittest, and it is where the vast majority of the Riotifu army is recruited from. Lusap City welcomes visitors, just as a spider welcomes flies into its web.

Tempum City (K7)

This is the Riotifu continent’s trading hub with the Mutrenu Continent. Out of all Riotifu cities, it is the most conservative. The police force here is strong, and violence in the streets is not allowed. Behind the scenes however, the corruption in Tempum is as bad as anywhere else. Bribery, con-artistry, and every other act of subterfuge are all fair play. Visitors are treated with respect here, at least to their face.

Mercatrua City (E8)

This is the Mutrenu Continent’s major trade city, where buyers and sellers from Sutisu and Riotifu are both welcome, along with beastfolk and elves. It is also a tourist hotspot for all around the world looking for a good time, in an all inclusive environment. This is also where peaceful negotiations are held between Sutisu and Riotifu, as well as any other warring faction.

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Smaller Cities

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Sutisu Continent

Eligiro City (B4)

This city is Sutisu’s center for religion and history. Besides some formal event spaces and fine dining establishments, there isn’t much here for the common visitor.

Lexif City (C4)

Even the most law abiding, religious citizen needs to unwind. Lexif is the place for just that, good clean fun: amusement parks, restaurants, and so much more.

Millav City (D3)

Millav City is Sutisu’s agricultural heart. The city is designed to grow crops, and hi-tech farmlands surround it. If you live here, you eat for free. Even if you don’t, the food is cheap.

Portira City (D5)

Nestled between Sutisu’s three largest cities, Portira City is the perfect transportation and distribution center. It also has beautiful beaches and a great night life.

Astodicu City (E4)

This is less of a city and more of a military outpost. Its main function is to prevent the Great War’s battlefield from spreading any further west, closer to the capital.

Riotifu Continent

Eitecio City (H6)

This is the city of outcasts. Here, you will find just as many beastfolk as humans, if not more. Despite Eitecio’s dark, swampy aesthetic, most of its locals have a kind hearted nature.

Roabria City (J5)

Roabria is controlled by one corporation, a weapons manufacturing company. Whoever the CEO of the company is at the time also makes the laws for the city.

Instraudi City (K4)

Every aspect of this city is built to capture energy. The buildings themselves are giant solar panels, and an advanced hydroelectric dam sits on the south side.

Morlan City (K6)

Out of all Riotifu cities, this one is the most “normal”. Crime is well under control and visitors can feel relatively safe. This is primarily a transit city between the larger cities.

Braro City (M5)

This mining and logging city used to be Riotifu’s primary energy producer. It now plays second fiddle to its neighbor to the west. Life here is relaxed and relatively care free.

Mutrenu Continent

Tiparum City (C10)

This self-sustaining city is the main trade city between elven society and the Mutrenu nation. In fact, a small portion of the Tiparum population is made of immigrant elves.

Stallo City (D9)

As evident by its flowing architecture, Stallo City is the main trade city between Sutisu and Mutrenu. It is also a popular vacation spot for the Sutisu people.

Lothiga City (G9)

Lothiga City is the main trade for Riotifu. Life here is wild and fun, as the Riotifu people enjoy, while being a much safer environment than any city in their home nation.

Quilaque City (H10)

Quilaque City begins on the mainland, but most of it extends out into the sea. It is a trade city built just for the Hundred Gills Tribe, Mutrenu’s closest ally.

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Beastfolk Strongholds

Burning Heart Stronghold (G3)

Built to last, this mountain side stronghold digs far into the mountains. There are more hidden cave entrances that only Burning Heart tribe members know about.

Poison Fang Stronghold (H4)

Deep within the swamps, you will find the Poison Fang stronghold. It is made from scrapped technology and is constantly being torn down and rebuilt.

Soaring Wing Stronghold (E7)

High atop the mountains rests the Soaring Wing Tribe’s stronghold. Tribe members are always coming and going. Very few actually stay here year around.

Loyal Tails Stronghold (E9)

This is only a stronghold in name. Truly, it is a city, just for the Loyal Tails tribe. The Mutrenu nation readily provides the stronghold protection and technology.

Hundred Gills Stronghold (J9)

Larger than any human city, the Hundred Gills Stronghold sits at the bottom of the ocean. Through scavenging and trading with the Mutrenu nation, it continues to grow.

Giant Foot Stronghold (L10)

Ironically, the Giant Foot Stronghold is quite small, mainly because tribe members don’t actually live here. It is simply a meeting point and a place for guests to sleep.

Time...

Time passes on Bellum, at a parallel pace to that of our planet Earth. For instance, the Northern and Southern hemispheres experience the same four seasons, and there are exactly 24 time zones. The map above has 15 columns (i.e. time zones), but there are actually 9 more not shown. These hidden columns contain a vast ocean and a few scattered islands, much like the Pacific Ocean.

So how does this all relate to the RP? Well, don't worry. We won't ask you to keep track of the exact day and time within your posts. Instead, we'll only mark the time of year and time of day, at the start of important IC posts.

Story Arcs...

As a new player/writer in this world, you will have one of two options. You can either create your own story arc, or join an ongoing adventure...

A story arc is but one of many stories being told in the world of Bellum. Each story arc is lead by a different player/writer, while I (as GM) work to fill the world with NPCs and backstory.

A story arc is made up of three elements. First, at the heart of any story, you have the characters. A new arc generally has only one main character and side characters controlled by myself and the player who started the story arc. Second, we have the plot. Of course, plot twists and improvisation can happen at any time, but it helps to lay out the plot of your story from the beginning, at least vague goals and milestones. Third, we have the setting(s). Like on a ship about to set sail, most passengers (in this case, writers) want to know where the story will take them. What locations on the map might they see if they join? But of course, just like the plot, there can be twists and turns along the way.

At the top of the first IC post, you will find a list of "ongoing story arcs". Below that, you will find "finished story arcs". If you wish to join an "ongoing story arc" contact the story arc's leader. If you wish to start a new story arc, post your ideas here in the OOC section.

Backstory...

Bellum is alive and thriving, even when you're away from your computer. We welcomed you with a teaser of what's in store, but now that you've come this far, let's unravel the tale.

There are three "main" civilizations on Bellum, depending on who you ask. These would be the Sutisu nation, the Riotifu nation, and the Mutrenu. Each nation controls most of the area on their respective continents.

However, the Sutisu and Riotifu continents are joined by a stretch of forested valley, known simply as The Bloody Divide. It is called this, because it is the main battle grounds for a generations long war known as the Great War. These two great nations hate each other's way of life, and they both want control of the river that runs through the Bloody Divide.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Mutrenu nation sits peacefully, far away from The Great War's reach. Even still, they are far from blameless. You see, it is a poorly kept secret that not only do they trade with both warring nations, they also deal in weapons and military grade technology. Basically, the Mutrenu nation will do whatever it takes to make money.

As we mentioned in the beginning, there are three major races on Bellum: humans, beastfolk, and elves. Then, each race can be further divided into factions and sub-races. Let’s dive into this a little further…

The Different Races

The three great nations are primarily controlled by the "humans". Physically and magically, humans are not the strongest race by any means, but through great training and studying, they can harness magical forces and push their physical limitations. However, their true strength lies in their easy access to advanced technologies, such as weapons, vehicles, and more.

Then you have the beastfolk, a broad term for animalistic humanoids that have evolved far beyond their human counterparts. Beastfolk have the ability to morph between two forms, their "human" form and their "beast" form. While in their "human" form, they appear almost human, with subtle hints of their beastly nature. The reverse is true for their "beast" form. While in “beast” form, the average beastfolk is much stronger than almost any human. While in “human” form, they are weakened, but are still stronger than the average human. In either form, their magical abilities remain formidable. Beastfolk come in many different varieties, but there are six main kinds.

Six Types of Beasts

While some beastfolk live with the humans in the cities of the three major continents, most beastfolk live with others of their kind, in tribes. There are six of these tribes, hence the six types of beastfolk, and each tribe has their own stronghold (i.e. their own beastly city).

First, primarily living in the mountains of Sutisu and Riotifu, we have the Burning Heart Tribe. These beastfolk evolved from carnivorous and omnivorous mammals. Like their ancestors, they roam the mountains and forests in search of their next meal. The Burning Heart Tribe’s stronghold is located deep within the mountains (G3).

Second, we have the Poison Fang Tribe. This tribe is made up of reptilian creatures of all kinds: snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and so on. They live within the southern reaches of the Sutisu and Riotifu continents, primarily within the swamplands. Cunning and deception are the Poison Fang way. You can find their stronghold in the swamplands directly between the two great warring nations (H4).

Third, with their stronghold located in the Forbidden Isles (F7), there is the Soaring Wing Tribe. These beastfolk evolved from birds of prey: falcons, eagles, and so on. While their stronghold is located on an island, you should never be surprised to see one of these beastfolk anywhere else. These proud people believe that everything under the sky (i.e. the entire planet) is their domain.

Fourth, living primarily on the Mutrenu Continent, we have the Loyal Tails Tribe. Evolved from domesticated mammals that were once kept as pets (i.e. cats, dogs, and so forth), these peaceful souls still live alongside their former masters. Most of them live among and work with the humans within their cities, but they too have a stronghold to call home (E9).

Fifth, we have the Hundred Gills Tribe. The name may be misleading, because not all beastfolk from this tribe have gills. Some have evolved from mammals such as dolphins or birds such as penguins. In all cases however, their ancestors lived almost exclusively underwater. This tribe is savvy, scavenging the wastes of the three great nations. Doing so, they have built an undersea empire, with their main stronghold (J9) being only one of their many hidden cities.

Last but not least, you will find the Giant Foot Tribe. These beastfolk have evolved from many varieties of herbivore and omnivore mammals, such as Rhinoceroses, Giraffes, Cows, and other wild/farm animals. Most beastfolk from this tribe prefer solitude; refusing to step outside of the Numgam Continent. Some have never even left their stronghold (L10).

The last major race, the elves are a mysterious lot for sure. Most appear almost human, aside from their pointy ears, which they often hide with a simple magic spell. As you would expect, elves have a much higher aptitude for magic than humans, but physically, the two races are on par with one another. There are nine different elven villages hidden throughout the world, each specializing in a certain domain of nature magic. Their hair color and skin complexions are influenced by their nature magic specialty, but they often hide these features as well.

Nine Elf Villages

1) The Treetop Village, located in the western Sutisu forests, is home to the Thicket Elves. They specialize in plant magic and speaking with forest animals (non-beastfolk) Thicket Elves have green hair and tan skin.

2) The Cliffside Village, located in the northeast Sutisu mountains, is home to the Cliff Elves. They specialize in storm magic: manipulating winds, controlling lighting, and summoning rain. Cliff Elves have dark gray to light gray hair and fair complexions.

3) The Swampland Village, located in the southwest Riotifu wetlands, is home to the Swamp Elves. They specialize in water and earth manipulation magic as well as poisons. Swamp Elves have green tinted skin and darker green hair.

4) The City Site Village, located in one of the Riotifu cities, is home to the City Elves. They specialize in illusion magic, which helps them blend in with the humans. City Elves tend to have black hair and any shade of natural “human” skin tones.

5) The Raging Waters Village, located somewhere in the Forbidden Isles, is home to the Waterfall Elves. They specialize in water and wind magic. They often behave like pirates, raiding ships in the Forbidden Isles. Waterfall Elves have blue hair and blue tinted skin.

6) The Floating Island Village, located somewhere in the Festival Isles, is home to the Island Elves. They specialize in water and plant magic. They use their magic to create a fruitful, beautiful environment for visitors to the Festival Isles. Island Elves have blue to green hair and normal “human” complexions.

7) The Deep Cave Village, located inside the cave systems of the western Mutrenu mountains, is home to the Cave Elves. They specialize in earth, rock, and shadow magic. Cave elves have pale skin and even whiter hair.

8) The Lost Desert Village, located in the southwest Mutrenu desserts, is home to the Sun Elves. They specialize in earth, sand, and pure sun/star magic. Sun Elves have dark brown skin and brown, orange, or blonde hair.

9) The Volcanic Village, located somewhere around or inside the Numgam volcano, is home to the Volcano Elves. They specialize in fire, water, and earth magic, but with a heavy emphasis on fire. Volcano Elves have fiery red to orange hair with normal “human” skin tones.

The Crystals…

… are ancient artifacts that have been passed from hand to hand for as long as history serves. Very rarely does one person ever get the chance to hold more than one, but when that does happen they tend to go insane with power or worse, explode. For this reason, it is forbidden for one person to ever control more than one crystal at a time.

Each crystal has its own identifying color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Violet. They all have the capacity to power a small city on their own or increase the powers of a warrior by ten fold and give them limitless stamina. They are alike in that way. However, they are different in a more subtle way.

All Six Crystals

The Yellow Crystal: Currently under Sutisu control, this crystal taps into its user's sense of righteousness and order. This also can lead to the fear of chaos.

The Violet Crystal: Currently under Riotifu control, this crystal taps into its user's deepest emotions toward those closest to them, both love and hate.

The Red Crystal: Currently held by the Burning Heart Tribe, this crystal taps into its user's passion, especially towards family and close friends, which breads both excitement and anger.

The Green Crystal: Currently held by the Soaring Wing Tribe, this crystal taps into its user's pride, which can lead to greatness or envy.

The Blue Crystal: Whereabouts unknown, this crystal taps into its user's introspective nature. It is attracted to those with great self confidence as well as those who are overly self critical.

The Orange Crystal: Whereabouts unknown, this crystal taps into its user's friendliness. Its users are typically happy and inviting, yet sometimes foolish and gullible.

Note

Each crystal has a mind of its own and seeks out those that fit its emotional spectrum. The longer you are near a crystal, the longer it feeds off your psychic energy, driving you further into its preferred mental state.

Becoming a Crystal Bearer: If you want to be one of the six crystal bearers, and the crystal you want currently has no owner, all you have to do is ask. Being a crystal bearer, amplifies your character's abilities by a factor of 10.

Whispers and Secrets

I will occasionally send you a PM and I will title it “IC: …..”. These secret posts will give one of your characters secret information. Crystal bearers may get these in the form of their crystal talking to them, but anyone can receive a secret PM at any time. If you receive one of these messages, please don’t share it with anyone else, at least not through an OOC exchange. However, if two characters are interacting, you can PM the other person and fill them in.

Finally, if a secret is shared within the IC post, and your character wasn't a part of that conversation, please ignore the shared information. In the same vein, if you have multiple characters and I tell you a secret that applies to only one of them, please act as if your other characters do not know this secret (unless those characters could logically and easily share that information).

I won’t police how everyone handles world secrets, but it will make the RP more interesting for everyone if you play along.

Money

They say it makes the world go round. This is true for the real world, and it is true for this RP. Exactly how much it matters to your character, well that depends on the individual.

We won't actually be tracking every coin you spend. In other words, the "coins" section of your character sheet (found within your inventory), won't go up or down every time you buy something. Instead, we will be using that number to decide if your character could reasonabaly make larger purchases. For example, if you have "Coins: 1,000" and your character wants to buy a 10,000 coin motorcycle, I'd have to say no.

When thinking about the value of a Coin, it might be easier to compare it to the US dollar, in the real world. If you were to do that, you would get about 10 USD to 1 Coin. This means, most small items would only cost you a coin or two. Around ten coins could buy you a low end luxury item or a moderately expensive ticket of some kind. A hundred coins, now we're talking about custom items and lavish expenditures. And so on...

Now, Bellum, while not perfect by any stretch of the means, is still a future society, where robots (for the most part) do the manual labor. Due to this, not everyone is required to work. In fact, more than half the world's population are "unemployed". Their basic needs, as well as the basic needs of everyone else, are covered by social services. There is free "housing", free "food", free "clothing" and free "healthcare".

You can find these free services in any building marked with the "CSC" logo (Civil Services Center). These buildings are one stop shops for all your essential needs. They are found in every city and town in the world, and they are funded and supplied by the Mutrenu government.

However, just because they all receive the same base support from Mutrenu, they are still managed by their local city government. Some cities supplement their "CSC" buildings, making the services they offer even better than normal. Some cipher off funds and provide as little as needed, just enough not to get in trouble with the Mutrenu government.