Dextkiller

Hiders inside Hiders and BBCode.

thank you.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

Warm Regret said
No problem! It's not a big deal, whenever you get around to it :)

It has been fixed, I'm currently at work, but once I get home I'm posting (like 8 hrs tops)

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

Warm Regret said
Dex: The CS I posted on page 9 is my final CS, I made a few small changes to the one that i sent you...not a big deal but whenever you get a chance, can you please update your post on page 10 with that CS? Sorry to be a pest already! >_<; *slinks away*

Yeah that's fine, That's why I said to let me know if I missed anything, because I do miss things. Thanks for the heads up.

In regards to the first IC, it is in the works, but I got delayed due to some personal stuff, so it will be up tomorrow.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

Devika and Roland

Devika Ah'sur: Portrayed by Mistress Dizzy

Full Name: Devika Ah'sur
Nicknames: Dev

Race: Half human (father)/ half orc (mother)

Gender: Female
Age: 26
Hair: Black, coarse and kinky
Skin: Brown with green undertones
Eyes: Light brown
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 190lbs

Place of Birth: Soklar Valley, known for it's weaponsmiths and miners

Appearance: Devika is a sturdy woman. She is heavily curved, with rich brown skin that shines a bit green in the sunlight. Her eyes are wide, her jaw is square, her lips are full, and her teeth are terrifying. Her black curls usually are hastily tied back with a scarf, but she lets them free when she isn't traveling.

Devika usually wears a hooded cloak and a pair of strange glasses with tempered black glass in them.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Chronicler/mediator

Gear of choice: Heavy wooden staff
Black-lens glasses

Positive Personality Traits: intelligent, reserved, excitable (usually about new places), artistic

Negative Personality Traits: very shy, doesn't trust easily (or sometimes at all)

Misc. Quirks: keeps a small notebook and charcoal sticks to take notes at any time something strikes her, never looks people in the eyes

Likes: historical places, old fashions, books

Dislikes: stupid people, her body

Hobbies:(optional but encouraged): reading, writing, researching, drawing, occasionally staff-fighting

Paired character: Roland

Connection with paired character: Devika hired Roland as a bodyguard, after he rescued her from attack in her father's lands. Even though their original contract is over, she is glad to work with Roland on a new journey. She would like to consider them friends, maybe partners, but is unsure of how he feels about the matter.

Fantastico!

History: Devika's father, Reginald, was a human scholar traveling the world. He met Devika's mother, An'ika during part of his journey to Grah-Nglak. She was a warrior student. They fell in love through learning and teaching. She taught him to properly wield a weapon, he taught her to speak and write other languages. They married quietly, in secret, and An'ika was soon pregnant. Reginald convinced An to move back to Aega with him, where he was sure they would live in prosperity once his work was published.

Unfortunately things didn't quite work that way. Reginald did publish, but An and the baby Dev'ika were ostracized in the human cities. An moved back to Grah-Nglak with baby Dev when she was about 3. Her father followed soon after. They lived on the fringes of the city, where they were mostly unbothered.

Devika took after her father, loving to read, write, and learn. While she has the potential for fighting, she doesn't have the will. Her mother taught her to wield a staff, but she only does so in self defense. Her magic potential was much stronger than her desire to wield a sword, and she was heavily trained in that since the age of 5. When Devika became an adult, she decided to take up her father's path and travel the world, learning and recording what she can. She started with her human roots.

During her travels in Aega, she ran into a group of human men who didn't like her looks. They charged her, and Devika was forced to unleash the full brunt of her magic on them. She willed fear into herself and send it outward. All but one of her attackers crumbled to the ground, screaming as terror took hold of their bodies. The last may have had a stronger mind than his friends, because he came at her. Before she could pull her staff and prepare to defend herself, a white-haired stranger came and knocked him
unconscious.

Her rescuer turned out to be a human man named Roland. They quickly struck a partnership- he would agree to protect him, and she was provide payment on return to Grah-Nglak. That journey had just ended, when Devika's father came upon a letter from one of his old research friends. The opportunity to explore the lost continent of Ialdia was a priceless one, but he knew he couldn't make the trip at his age, with a wife and home and two more children to raise. He passed off the torch to his daughter, and Devika jumped at the opportunity. Now, with Roland at her side, she is prepared to learn what no one else can... What lies beyond the shores of Ialdia.

---

Roland Arrylhill: Portrayed by Krimp

Name: Roland Arrylhill

Nicknames: The Exile of Arryl, The White Tiger, Shamanslayer (among others, not all of which are cast in a flattering light…)

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Age: 35

Hair: Roland’s hair has been an inexplicably pure white from the day he was born. He keeps it cropped close to his skull to ensure it doesn’t get in the way.

Skin: Caucasian, although years of travel have left it a tanned, weathered brown.

Eyes: A pale, pale grey.

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 200lb

Place of Birth: A small farmstead half a day’s ride from the city of Arryl, the southernmost major city on Aega. Due to its close proximity to Siilara, Arryl prospers greatly from trading with their southern neighbours and selling these goods across Aega.

Appearance:

Roland cuts an intimidating figure. One could reach this conclusion by simply taking in his basic characteristics: taller than average, with wide, strong shoulders and thickly knotted arms, it is clear that his lifestyle requires a great deal of strength; his crooked nose and short, military style haircut confirm that this physical lifestyle involves combat. His light eyes are serious, made even more so by his downturned brows; they give him a look of constant disapproval, and if there is even a shred of humour in those eyes, it is not easy to see. Similarly, his mouth curves down slightly, with no appearance of good faith or humour. There is an assuredness to the way he walks, as well as a sense of grace which one would not expect in one his size. Where some walk gingerly, hesitantly, Roland’s steps firmly, as if daring anyone to challenge his right to go where he pleases (this self-confidence has allowed him to bluff entry into many places which would otherwise be barred to him).

From all of this alone it is obvious exactly what his profession is, yet there is something else. Something about his movements – so slow, smooth and confident – suggests a power of great magnitude, ready to be unleashed at any time – a power which makes him seem far older than his 25 years. It is how he gained the moniker of White Tiger: like a great beast, he can go from sinuous and graceful to an explosion of sheer force in the blink of an eye. Those who know him by reputation before meeting him quickly understand this; those who do not tend to draw the same comparison before long.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Guard-cum-explorer. Wherever a sword and a brain are needed, Roland will be.

Gear of choice:

As Roland’s style of fighting tends more towards mobility and precisely applied power, he prefers not to be hindered by the hefty steel armour that most warriors in his profession tend towards. He opts instead for leather: a four-piece set of chest piece, greaves, boots and gloves that are all scarred and pitted, yet obviously of a high quality. His thick coat is a deep grey that was obviously once black, and falls to his boots as well as having a very concealing hood. He can comfortably sleep in his armour – and has on many occasions – but also carries around civilian clothes to wear when there is no impending danger.

His weapon of choice is Doluk-Sum: a hand-and-a-half sword forged in the deepest fires of Grah-Nglak, it is less of a weapon and more of a precision instrument in Roland’s hands. Tough enough to battle through an entire army without dulling, and with a handle long enough to be wielded either with a shield or on its own, Doluk-Sum was forged specifically for Roland and is practically an extension of his arm.

He also carries a small, simple dagger on his person at all times as a final precaution.

Positive Personality Traits: Practical, Level-headed, Cunning, Independent

Negative Personality Traits: Self-serving, difficulty empathising with others, overly cautious

Misc. Quirks: Roland has a ritual every morning: after rising, he will spend an hour going through the motions of the kithan, a series of movements on which his fighting style is based (think Tai Chi). This is followed by bathing then breakfast – every morning without fail.

Likes: Having a clear objective in front of him, travelling, his own company, finding the best possible solution to a problem.

Dislikes: Rash decision-making, loud spaces, combat, racial prejudices.

Hobbies: Chess, travelling, history, meditation (exercising and training his mental magic).

Paired character: Devika

Connection with paired character: Roland was hired by Devika while she was travelling through Aega, and travelled back with her to Grah-Nglak to collect his payment afterwards. The two have been travelling partners for about half a year, now.

Fantastico

History:

Comment from the author:

Fame is a funny thing. It can drive a man to narcissism, to a love for oneself bordering madness. It can take the simplest tale and blow it up to such extreme proportions that it is impossible to see the link between original and retold. Such is the case in the story you are about to read. This writer has travelled far in order to glean the truth about The Exile of Arryl; of what few facts were found, fewer can be confirmed:

The man is truly a gifted swordsman, and despite over a year of searching, this writer has been unable to find another warrior who has learned the same technique. Few could best him in single combat were it just blade against blade. However, his magical prowess is limited, if not nonexistent. He has achieved through a meditation process unknown to this writer a way of 'blocking' magics cast against his mind. In a way, he has created walls around his consciousness which would no doubt be difficult to break; whether any have attempted is unknown.

Apart from this, the tale that unfolds below has been created from second- and third-hand stories; it is up to the reader's discretion how much they decide is fact, and how much is fiction.]

The White Tiger, the iron fist of the Three Branch Mercenary Company, he who defeated Cyrett’s champion in single combat – no one would have ever predicted that this man was once Roland, son of Richard the squash farmer. Somewhat of a legend in his own time, Roland had much more humble beginnings than most of the stories say.

Roland’s father was an alcoholic – and a violent one at that. His mother Ana was kind-hearted, petite and gentle. It was a marriage doomed to misery from the beginning. The two had five children, but only the middle child, Roland, made it past ten. Perhaps this was what drove Richard to drinking, or perhaps it was the boredom of working the farm; whatever it was, it lead to the suffering of his wife and only child. From the age of five Roland was sinking a spade into frozen dirt before the sun had risen, favouring one wrist over the other because his father had been mad at him the night before. After a hard day’s work, he’d return to his mother, who would whisper sweet words to him through the side of her mouth that wasn’t too swollen to talk.

The incessant hours of tilling, sowing and harvesting made Roland strong, and he had always been big for his age anyway – yet graceful in a way his father labelled ‘womanly’. It was on his tenth birthday that Roland realised he could fight back against his father.

A week later, Richard Arrylhill was dead. Roland thought his mother would be ecstatic, happy to finally be free of the shadow of her husband; the only thing she could sob out was ‘Leave’. So it was on the day of his father’s death that Roland left Arryl, and he has not returned since. News fast spread once Ana was found, and as Roland’s fame grew, so too did his name in his own city: the father-killer, the Exile of Arryl.

There was only one way to travel, and that was north, but Roland was unprepared for such a journey. He had never travelled more than a day away from his home before, and as such it is no surprise that he collapsed out of exhaustion and dehydration the morning after leaving. Here is where his story would end, were it not for the fact that a small group of sellswords from Three Branch weren’t heading back to their headquarters along the same road. Even then, Roland no doubt would have been left for dead – Three Branch swords aren’t known for their charity – were it not for the fact that Shelza-Durm, the ancient half-elf half-orc matron of the Three Branch Mercenaries, was accompanying the group. She saw potential for greatness in Roland, and oversaw his training personally, both in mind and in body. It is she who is responsible for his unique fighting style, and she who his responsible for his magical prowess in keeping his mind sealed.

Ten years under Shelza-Durm’s tutelage flew by, and more would have followed were it not for the mistress’ death – she was ancient to the point that no one knew exactly how old she was, but it was not unexpected. Roland was quickly brought in on the inner mechanisms of the guild, and soon began making a name for himself across Aega, both for his skill with the sword and his meticulously careful nature. It has, however, been an empty time: Roland cares little for any but himself, and suffers from extreme isolation when he is not busy; perhaps this is what drives him to such great achievements.

Six months before the expedition to Ialdia, Roland was travelling back to headquarters from a completed contract when he saw a commotion on the road. He quickly discerned what was going on: a group of human men threateningly surrounding a half-Orcish woman. It seemed like things were very quickly going south for the Orcish lass, and Roland prepared to intervene. Racism being the one thing in the world Roland can't stand, he prepared to intervene, when suddenly, something inexplicable happened. Without warning the men started to scream - one fell to his knees and clasped his head with such force it seemed like he would crush his skull, while others seemed paralysed out of fear. However, the magic did not seem to affect one, and drawing a blade, he stepped threateningly towards the woman. Roland acted on instinct: he deftly strode towards the man (who's knees started knocking together as he recognised the white hair of the man who was approaching) and, before the man had a chance to react, rapped him over the head with the hilt of his sword. Shortly after, Roland found himself talking to the woman. Devika, her name was, and they quickly struck a deal: the woman wished to explore the home of her father, and he was happy to accompany her so long as he got paid in the end. This journey eventually lead them back to Grah-Nglak, where he received his payment: Doluk-Sum. He was planning on returning home when he received a missive sent from Three Branch:

Swords needed for expedition to Ialdia. Payment the likes of which you’ve never seen.

It was more than enough of an incentive for Roland to accompany Devika into the unknown.

Youn and Emmeric

Youn Barlai: Portrayed by SkySwimSky

Full Name: Youn Barlai
Nicknames: Yuu
Race: Human
Appearance:

Gender: Female
Age: 13
Hair: Pink
Skin: Light but greatly tanned from all the sunlight
Eyes: Green
Place of Birth: Tevelesen, the shining star of the north-west. The city sits in the middle of a desert oasis and it’s grandiose size, despite the location, comes from the numerous amount of gem deposits which are mined out from under the city’s foundation. Concerns have arisen about the possibility of the entire area falling due to rotting support beams and the weight of the continuingly towering buildings that the nobles are building, but the worried voices have fallen on the deaf ears of anybody capable of changing as much.

The city’s structure falls in a rough circle; any form of city planning tossed to the wayside in favor of outer expansion. The rich, upper class are concentrated and crammed within the center, the lower class spread out, and always pushing the city’s outer limits further from the city’s nobility, and the middle class jammed between the two while trying to expand out themselves into the purchased hovels of the lower class. Buildings are made of either a mixture of sand, clay and straw -- the composition of which depending on the standards of the the surrounding social class -- or of a shining white marble. The poor use a baser rammed earth method for building, while the middle class uses an adobe brick. The marble, naturally, is reserved for the shining palaces and towers of the rich.

This is a city which people come to in order to make a profit and advance their standing in the world. Unfortunately for them, business here only favors the already wealthy. So, to make ends meet, they join one of the numerous underground (no pun) “businesses” which are only too happy to have a couple more footmen on payroll. It’s a “career” that some are cut out for, while for others it just ends with them cut and alone in a hole, but as far as gem smuggling goes, Tevelesen is the Aegan epicenter of it. Of course, that isn’t their only “dirty” means of income.
Occupation in the frontier forces: Laborer
Gear of choice: An oversized worn-out black tunic paired with white sailor breeks hold together by a simple belt, for her foot she has simple sandals. For traveling purposes she also got herself a big brown blanket which gets abused as a mantle.

She also has a second, more valuable stolen set of clothing, consisting of a black shawl, adorned coat and shirt paired with a skirt and the most important part, good footgear.

Weapon-wise she carries a dagger and a knife around, both being attached to her belt. Furthermore, she carries a slingshot which usually has enough ammunition for 20 shots

Positive Personality Traits: Calm | Calculating | Prodigy | Curious | Prideful
Negative Personality Traits: Greedy | Skeptical | Egoistic | Liar

Misc. Quirks: Tends to drool when too excited | Scared of needles
Likes: Stealing | Magic | Knowledge | Money | Sweets | Milk
Dislikes: Alcohol | Men | Studying | Luck | Honest Fools | Snobs
Hobbies: Stealing | Magic training | Free running | Messing around

Paired character: Emmeric Marcure(Voltin)
Connection with paired character: Fuel source Partners

fantastico!

History: Born as the only child of a whore in the slums, Youn's early childhood was everything else but ordinary. Still, Youn had a place to sleep and wasn't running risk to die from Starvation, at least most of the times, not knowing any different it could even maybe said she was happy. However, as the girl grew more aware of the world and her surroundings things started to change. Youn started to hate herself and everyone around her. She detested those who kept blaming others for their own failure and misfortune. She didn’t want to end up like her mother to serve the twisted desires of men, Youn wasn’t one of those weak people who kept crying without changing anything. Youn knew, to get anywhere in this place, she would need money, thus, her career as a wannabe-criminal began.

Around this time the girl was also granted a miracle. While stealing from other idiots who were in the same situation as her was usually done with ease, taking stuff from wealthy people like merchants was an entire different story; after all, as agile as Youn may be, she had still the body of a child. It was bound to happen -- greed was a sin Youn fully embraced, after all -- she got caught by the wrong people one day, people who wouldn't simply say 'Whatever' after trying to catch her or playing hide&seek for hours. Youn finally got caught, her life deemed as over as they would surely make quick process out of an unimportant pickpocket. However, her desperate struggle against the inevitable granted Youn said miracle, a miracle in form of magic: freezing the entire arm of the guard who made sure she wouldn’t get away gave her another chance to escape, this time, successfully.

Being from the slums, Youn obviously had never any sort of education, so she didn’t really know any fancy rules about magic except what she heard from gossip and alike. That didn’t stop the young Prodigy from trying though. In fact, now that she knew that she actually had talent, it didn’t take her long to be able to pull out a few useful tricks from her sleeves, especially regarding deception and illusions. Unfortunately, Youn was born with a small glorin vas, so she had to get her hands on some sort of storage.

Fortune was smiling upon her.

Doing her daily routine, Youn overheard how two thugs were talking about a certain jewel, a device capable of aiding her magical capabilities. One of them being supposed to get it, Youn seized this moment and made sure SHE was the one who would receive the valuable gift.

It only occurred later to her, that she made a mistake, young and naive, she was now a wanted criminal, worse, wanted by other criminals. While initially able to escape their grasp, it didn’t take long for her to be finally caught. Thanks to her curiosity, the gem was long since depleted. Faced by 5 who all wanted the same, surrender equaled death, escape was not an option. It was in this grim hour that the very same person she had once fooled came to her help. Sure, the young prodigy could have used the confusion caused to escape, instead, she took out one of the guys as their attention was entirely directed towards the intruder. With 3 down, only 2 were left, still too much for the young Youn. Coincidence, Fate, Youn wouldn’t know, nor could she remember exactly, it all happened too fast, there was ice, a lot of ice, 5 corpses, 2 survivors. She had to get out, dragging Emmeric behind her. Already lying about leaving the 5 corpses unconscious, their long partnership slowly started to grow.

They both know they had to get out of the city. With nowhere to go, Youn tagged along her new fuel-source, not planning to let him go off so easily, even if she had to sell that now useless gem, a small price for what she acquired in return.

---

Emmeric Marcure: Portrayed by Voltin

Full Name: Emmeric Marcure
Nicknames: Em (to those who wish to annoy him) | Marc | “The Noble”

Race: Human

Gender: Male
Age: 26
Hair: Black, and generally messy but with the sort of "styling" that makes it look as if he has tried slicking it back numerous times.
Skin: Fair, yet tanned from his days spent in sunny streets. Has a fair amount of battle scars.
Eyes: A cool green.
Height: 5"8'
Weight: 151 lbs.

Place of Birth: Tevelesen, the shining star of the north-west. The city sits in the middle of a desert oasis and it’s grandiose size, despite the location, comes from the numerous amount of gem deposits which are mined out from under the city’s foundation. Concerns have arisen about the possibility of the entire area falling due to rotting support beams and the weight of the continuingly towering buildings that the nobles are building, but the worried voices have fallen on the deaf ears of anybody capable of changing as much.

The city’s structure falls in a rough circle; any form of city planning tossed to the wayside in favor of outer expansion. The rich, upper class are concentrated and crammed within the center, the lower class spread out, and always pushing the city’s outer limits further from the city’s nobility, and the middle class jammed between the two while trying to expand out themselves into the purchased hovels of the lower class. Buildings are made of either a mixture of sand, clay and straw -- the composition of which depending on the standards of the the surrounding social class -- or of a shining white marble. The poor use a baser rammed earth method for building, while the middle class uses an adobe brick. The marble, naturally, is reserved for the shining palaces and towers of the rich.

This is a city which people come to in order to make a profit and advance their standing in the world. Unfortunately for them, business here only favors the already wealthy. So, to make ends meet, they join one of the numerous underground (no pun) “businesses” which are only too happy to have a couple more footmen on payroll. It’s a “career” that some are cut out for, while for others it just ends with them cut and alone in a hole, but as far as gem smuggling goes, Tevelesen is the Aegan epicenter of it. Of course, that isn’t their only “dirty” means of income.

Appearance: Emmeric’s face is angular. Not gaunt, as if he hasn’t been able to feed himself properly, but a jagged, full type of face to compliment his pointed chin and his other relatively regular facial features. He’s a type of handsome that you would recognize the goodly tramp for, but with a smile that let’s on to more than it should as to what’s going on in his mind’s eye.

He generally carries himself in an exaggerated manner. Whether it’s flailing about in some fake panic, his displeasure of being fed something horrid, or simply walking down the street with an unearned swagger. He does so with the same zest as an actor who is trying too hard.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Laborer
Gear of choice:
-Clothing: A white, long-sleeved cotton shirt | a makeshift overshirt, fashioned from a potato sack, and with a small "v" in the front which is laced with a simple drawstring | A pair of black trousers; heavy stitching, and patchwork can be seen on the outer sides of both legs | a pair of leather boots | A burlap cloak
-Weaponry: A small, custom navaja, which he keeps on the inside of his sack shirt. Having nicked it off a trade caravan during one of his very few solo (and successful) jobs, he keeps it with him everywhere he goes. It has the curious imagery of a chimera overpowering a dragon on one side of the blade, a submerged leviathan being overwhelmed by a fiery bird on the other, and a golden, curved and rippling hilt with a snake’s head at the end.
-Miscellany: A flask filled with water (sometimes not) | A pocket-watch (accurate to the hour) | A needle (only slightly rusted) | String of various colors and sizes (Mostly black, brown or white)

Positive Personality Traits: Jovial | Determined | Bold | Economical
Negative Personality Traits: Distrustful | Avoids physically strenuous work | Conceited | Vacuous
Misc. Quirks: Sighs a lot | A big eater | “Theatrical” | Surprisingly Superstitious
Likes: Relaxing | Wine | A warm fire | Birds | Horror stories
Dislikes: Nature (aside from birds) | Aggressive Personalities | Loud noise
Hobbies: Card games | Collecting unique currency | Strolling through city streets | Making his own clothes

Paired character: Youn Barlai (Skyswimsky)
Connection with paired character: “Partners”
fantastico
History: Emmeric comes from a small family of five. A middle child, he was never treated with the respect that his ways more capable older brother was shown or doted on with the same amount of attention that his little sister received. Despite his parents’ every effort and attempt, the three children were raised in a poverty where they could eat everyday and be full, but not be able to afford the luxuries of nice clothing or being able to throw parties for their every year of getting older, not even for the big days of them finally being able to work and support the family’s mutual well-being, or for their official entering into adulthood. Perhaps because of this, the middle child never exactly lived up to his parents’ expectations for him.

His father wanted Emmeric to simply have a stable, good-paying job; his mother, a happy home full of a dozen grandchildren. What they got instead was a young man who was loose with who he slept with, and even looser with his money. His personality was the kind that got him what he immediately wanted but with obvious repercussions in the future than he was willing to acknowledge.

The middle Marcure’s adolescent years were not spent working and improving himself like his older brother did to attract a wealthy wife (even if she were an older widower), or the kind of primping and educating his sister received so that she one day may become a politician and advocate for the lower-class, but in a stupor where he hung out with a similar lazy, charming group of good-for-nothings, and spent all his spare change on food for himself or at card tables. Due to this, his parent’s never bring up Emmeric’s existence when discussing their children with their friends or neighbors (even if they never chastised him for his reckless behavior), and is viewed as pathetic by his much more successful older sibling. The only one to support him was his sister, who was always aware of her brother’s path in life, and encouraged him to do better for himself, despite whatever his current circumstance may be.

He made his own first coin as a pickpocket. It started as a dare from a friend, and years down the line, it was a dare that shaped much of his life. He got involved in with the dangerous underground types who were always willing to exploit the people around them to make an easy profit. Nothing more than a neutral gofer of sorts, he was a freelance hire around the city, known for his erratic work performance, and the steady cut from his knife-wielding hand. Many viewed him as suspicious -- having his hand in so many honeypots at once meant that he was a liability as well as a “source” of information -- but was viewed by many of these assorted gang leaders as “a loose end they were willing to keep loose, for now” for each their own personal gain. Marcure was a man viewed as an incompetent menace by the rank-and-file footmen, but as a sort of “diamond in the rough” to the higher ups; all of whom who wanted nothing more than to crack all those secrets out of him.

They discarded this “jewel” after his brief possession of a gem.

It was standard fare for him -- a courier job for an unnamed, sometimes faceless, man -- so it was nearly impossible for Emmeric to fail. Alas, such was the case as he encountered the quick-witted, and disingenuous, young Youn. She had met him at the meeting spot, gave the correct signals, yet the next day, he had been accused of stealing the magic storing device -- then selling it -- and simply wanted dead for his most recent, and financially important, failure.

Giving up the current belongings not on his body, an easy task given the so little he owned (and that all family, except for his sister, had cut ties from him), and going into hiding was his plan for that moment. It wasn’t long before he was able to track the girl and the gem down -- figuring that the least he could do now was prove his accusers right -- just as she was encountering her own stint of danger for her committed robbery. Despite his regular reluctance in getting involved, and even with this was the thief who had gotten a bounty put on his head, Emmeric found himself approaching the group casually, and stabbing one of the weapon-wielding brigands in the back with his knife.

A fight broke out; it was between him and the group of five that wanted both him and the girl dead. He was able to take out another with only a black eye and a few cuts and bruises. One of the bastards had snuck up behind him, though, and was able to land a heavy blow to his head. He woke up in an unfamiliar hovel not much later, and had the reason as to why he wasn’t dead explained to him by the very same girl who had stolen from him.

It didn’t take them very long to figure out they were better off trying to get out of the city together than alone, so that’s what they did. They sold the depleted gem and used the money to pay for passage to the other side of the continent. The circumstance of their meeting had Emmeric convinced of one thing, however. That they were “destined” to reach the “Lost Continent”; the rumors of which had him practically drooling at the thought of all the riches to be had. But with all their gem money gone from traveling across Aega, and with neither of them having some rich benefactor, they were forced to sell themselves into a form of indentured service for passage.

Luched and Yvaine

Luched: Portrayed by Nevis

Full Name: Luched (Loo-guttural 'ch' sound-eh-d), 'Lightning'
Nicknames: Lu, Luch
Race: Half-Human, Half-Elf
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Hair: Short in back, bangs dangling just past eyes, mix of dark and bronze
Skin: Moderately pale
Eyes: Green
Height 5 '5'
Weight: 130 lbs
Place of Birth: Khloris, 'The City of Flowers'
Appearance: I've got some pictures I'll get here later, though I'll be doing text as well.

Occupation: Mercenary, dungeoneer/crypt explorer

Gear: A dark red leather vest than can pass as clothing or armor, a black hooded long-sleeve shirt,grey trousers, high boots and a very light and thin hand-and-a-half sword designed moderately well for both single-handed and two-handed use and a very minor satchel of holding hanging from the backside of his belt. He carries a blanket, funds, a piece of flint and steel, a coil of rope and some sort of weak magical tool that he never uses in his satchel.

Positive Personality Traits: Fair, honest, caring

Negative Personality Traits: Edgy or hostile towards officials, short-tempered, honest

Misc. Quirks:

Likes: Combat, exploring, myths and folklore

Dislikes: Nobles, hierarchy, abuse of the weak by the strong, swimming

Hobbies:

Paired character: Yvaine (Chezka's Character)

Connection with paired character: Childhood friends, saved her life, pseudo-hired guard. Luch, pressured by time and his pursuers, eventually agreed to travel to 'let' Yvaine go with him to Ialdia. As per her upbringing and his martial ability, this often means him defending her from danger, though.
While it is not fully apparent to Yvaine, their relationship is actually rather strange and somewhat one-sided. Whereas Yvaine idolized Luch since childhood, let alone after having saved her now, his vehement disdain for nobility as a whole puts him somewhat at odds with her, and snide comments from her about her background aren't unknown. In fact, it is only because of the glimmer of authenticity in her that he does not write her off completely as an idiot tyrant. Simultaneously, thoughts of politics haunt him-of twisting her into a political pawn in order to further his anarchistic aims. As he generally dislikes such manipulation, though, he is torn on this.

History: Luch was born and raised largely in Khloris, 'The City of Flowers'. He is from relative poverty and spent as much of his days outside the city in the fields and forest as in it; in neither place did he ever feel at home, though.
That said, he was far from unacquainted with the streets, and his tendency to stick by his word and what he thought was right, rather than being loyal to friends whether right or wrong, put him frequently at odds with the other children-often violently. While this won him few, if any, genuine friends, he was, at least, respected for his honesty-and for raw talent when it came to combat.
Among his few friends was Yvaine-ironically enough, the heir of the lord of the city. Something of both a defender and a teacher, he both took her side when the others would attack her based on her position of birth and tear her arguments apart when she tried to abuse it. In the fullness of it, it is perhaps that he respected and saw her, yet not her position, that lead to her following him around like a loving puppy.
When adolescence came, childhood adventures became more serious and dangerous, and Luch's sense of not belonging only grew. He began wandering further and further away from the city, and his skirmishes with children were replaced by encounters with beasts and bandits. Over time, his skills in combat grew from meager fights into genuine martial skill. And every time, while travelling, his aching urge to leave, to move and discover only grew. And when a merchant caravan offered to hire him on as an armed escort, he took it.
Years passed with Luch travelling and exploring, honing his technique with a sword and learning magic. Over time, he became more and more disgusted with the distinction of class in the society and grew to be ever more anarchisitc. Eventually, he began associating with anarchist groups and interfering with armies and guards, going to far as to be a famous vigilante at one point.
Then, one night amid a city-wide conflict between the group and the guard, he fled, a strange aura that caused fluctuations in magic emanating from him as he cringed in pain. While he has apparently been constantly on the move since, the glowing aura has plagued him since and has made it impossible to not be spotted and leave a trail to follow. His pursuers eventually set up an ambush for him when, after having his identity betrayed by a captured member of his group, it was determined that he was heading back to Khloris.
Just outside the city and with his pursuers close, Luch, while hiding, came across a girl about to be raped by guards. He interfered and slew all of them. Much to his chagrin, the maiden turned out to be Yvaine, who was apparently fleeing from home-who had, in fact, been tracking him down. Out of time, he fled with Yvaine onto a boat-one setting sail for the lost lands of Ialdia.

---

Yvaine Rinaldi: Portrayed by Chezka

Full Name: Evianna Noelle Rinaldi
Nicknames: Yvaine

Race: Human

Gender: Female
Age: 18
Hair: Blonde
Skin: Fair
Eyes: A light blue that darken noticeably when she's upset
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 99 lbs

Place of Birth:
Khloris (more commonly known as The City of Flowers) is located in the southeastern province of Aega. It is built atop a large hill that overlooks a valley of flowers, hence its moniker, and is enclosed in concentric tiered walls that split the city into four sectors, culminating with the Fortress at the summit. There is an apparent caste system that arose from this division, wherein proximity to the Fortress signifies social standing. As such, the outermost sector (called the Roots) houses the lower-class citizens, and the two middle sectors house the middle and upper class respectively.

In addition to its chivalric repute, Khloris is well-known for its grand, season-long flower festival during springtime. Many travel from all over Aega for a glimpse of the valley when all the flowers are in bloom, as they are said to rival in beauty and magnificence even those found in Siilara. An even grander festival is held every seven years, when the rare, night-blooming Aegan fireblossom sets the whole valley alight for exactly thirty-two hours before withering instantaneously.

Khloris has been presided over by the Rinaldi family for six generations now, having steadily risen as prominent figures in the lands of Aega because of their vast resources. They currently have dominion over most of the verdant farmlands of southeastern Aega, and are the primary providers of the lands' grains, fruits, and wine.

Appearance:

A lady in every sense of the word, Yvaine possesses feminine graces that make her beautiful, or so her mother boasts. Her blonde locks fall in loose waves past her lower back and curl tighter at the tips; as per her mother's insistent request, upon her ardent belief that short hair does not become a lady, she is prohibited from shearing even an inch off. It can get unmanageable if not properly maintained, and she rouses an hour earlier for her handmaidens to style and set her hair for the day. Her fair complexion is layered only with an ever-so-slight hint of gold despite the persistent sunny spells in Khloris. If there is one thing that points to her life of luxury, it is this; smooth and unblemished, nary a semblance of toil. Her light blue eyes are honest and far too expressive, very much unfit for deceit. Try as she might, she never could properly hide what she feels from others. Her attempts to conceal disdain, as she is told a lady must always do, are laughable.

Yvaine carries herself with a certain poise that harkens to her noble upbringing: head held high in a self-assured manner, yet not without a hint of demureness; gait purposeful but airy. There is something in that way she moves that is almost melodic, as though her actions are performed in time to a song (should one ever ask her, she'll say that they are).

Occupation in the frontier forces: Emissary
Gear of choice:
Yvaine is woefully unprepared for travel. Before hightailing it out of the city, she thought only to take with her two sets of spare clothes; they are, at the very least, among her simplest pieces. One is a deep red made from cotton, with shorter sleeves and a shorter hemline for the warmer weather. The other is a light shade of blue; made from a thicker material, with its skirts dragging and its bell sleeves flaring out, she hoped it would be enough to ward against the cold. She also has a long hooded cloak.

Her only weapon is a finely crafted staff made from durable, lightweight metal, sturdy enough to withstand a fair amount of force while doing little to encumber her. It is enchanted to project her voice, and as such, increases the range and effectiveness of her spellsinging. The two gems embedded within the staff serve as her surplus.

She has also brought a few precious trinkets (two golden rings with gemstones and an enchanted necklace that glows like the fireblossom, a rare Khlorissian product) from home that she believes might fetch a high price in the right market, all safely tucked away in the deepest recesses of her satchel, and two of her favorite books (The Herald and the Crown, the story about the love between the queen and the enemy kingdom's royal messenger; and The Seventh Light, a page-turner of an epic about the brave knight Owain).

Positive Personality Traits: Genial, resourceful, curious, honest but tactful, empathetic
Negative Personality Traits: Impressionable, indulgent, starry-eyed, stubborn, too easily swayed by emotions and whims

Misc. Quirks:
Fifteen years of etiquette lessons have become so finely ingrained within her that she is mannerly to a fault. Should she extend the same courtesies to an enemy that she would a friend, it is because it has become a conditioned response. Likewise, Yvaine cannot bring herself to use profanity—as a child, it only brought her painful slaps on the wrists and nights without dinner, which at the time, was just the worst. She reflexively lectures those that do.

Yvaine
Likes: Songs and stories in general, but nearest and dearest to her are the ones about romance and adventure; Yvaine knows hundreds by heart, and is likely to use them as references. Good, honorable people who protect others. Learning about the different cultures in Veruulis.

Dislikes: Cold weather (temperate Khloris has unfortunately given her little resistance to lower temperatures); any affront to her hero's honor; enclosed spaces; restraint of any form.

Hobbies: Singing, for entertainment and not just for magical purposes; reading (and she is wont to get overly engrossed, to the point that she may ignore her surroundings); collecting flowers she hasn't seen in Khloris and pressing them.

Paired character: Luched (Nevis)
Connection with paired character: Childhood friend and her personal hero.

Yvaine adores Luch and holds him in the highest regard: to her, the righteous Luched is even better than the heroes in the songs and stories she loved so much. She sought him out after running away from home, but ran into trouble before she could find him. As luck would have it (or destiny, as the romantic in her likes to think), it was him who found and saved her. She asked to join him in his travels, and he relented.

fantastico

History:
Evianna Noelle Rinaldi is the fourth child and only daughter of Florian and Isabelle Rinaldi. Born to a mother whom had long since yearned for a daughter, Yvaine found herself the recipient of her undivided attention. She has three older brothers and two younger ones, but it was only she that their mother openly fixated on. The proud and vain Isabelle wanted nothing more than to raise the perfect lady, one that every noble family would envy, and she finally had her chance. At first, their mother's special treatment earned Yvaine the ire of her brothers, but as they grew older, they realized that being at the receiving end of their mother's obsessive devotion was not at all something to be envied.

For one thing, her early childhood was nothing but a haze of lessons: etiquette in the morning, academics at noon, magical arts in the evening. Impossibly high expectations were forced upon her as she was shaped to be what her mother considered the epitome of a lady. Graceful, refined, and prudent all at once, always presentable and never homely, armed with an ever-present winning smile—Yvaine thought it silly to have to strive for perfection, but fear of disappointment compelled her to obedience. She did as she was told, if only to make her mother happy.

Paranoia (and a sense of elitism) also gripped at her mother's heart, and it made her irrationally overprotective. Unlike her brothers, free to roam where they wish so long as they heed caution, Yvaine was not allowed to venture past their gardens without an escort, or past the city gates at all. Her mother even refused to take her to the lower districts. "My precious flower will just get tainted," she would say every time Yvaine asked why. She thought nothing of it at first, brought up to believe that such wariness was essential (lesson twenty-seven: "a lady must always proceed with caution, no matter the circumstance"). But as she grew older and fell in love with stories of adventure, curiosity and longing stirred within her. She wanted to see the world beyond Khloris, the world that she knew only through songs and stories. Suddenly, the palace walls became stifling. The palace she thought to be a haven, protecting her from the evils of the world, seemed more and more like a prison. A dollhouse for her mother's favorite doll.

Yvaine was nine when she first stole away to the lowest Khloris district, the Roots. She was in a particularly petulant mood after being punished repeatedly for horrible posture (each time her shoulders sagged even the slightest bit, her governess would touch her with her shock-inducing wand; it doesn't cause injuries, but it certainly stung) so she decided to rebel by running away. Escaping was surprisingly easy. There were passageways scattered throughout the palace, some of which were only known to members of her family. She took one that led directly to the Roots and used her two hour self-study and reflection session in the afternoon—a time for herself when no one was allowed to disturb her, not even her mother—to explore.

It was there that Yvaine first encountered Luched. As she roamed the streets, she happened by a brawl between two children, one big burly, the other small and slight. There was a crowd that gathered around them, whether they were vociferously cheering or heckling them, she couldn't quite tell. Yvaine felt duty-bound to stop the fight, but she was oddly fascinated by the slight boy's quick and precise movements. It looked as though he was at a disadvantage, but it would be he that emerges victorious. A clearly wonderstruck Yvaine approached him after the fight, offering to soothe his injuries with her magic, and although he seemed hesitant to accept her aid at first, he eventually relented. She had to leave before they could get better acquainted, but she sought him out the next time she snuck away to the lower districts.

From then on, secretly escaping to the Roots and trailing after Luched became routine. The two quickly became friends, and it was Luch who taught her all about the world she didn't know. He even defended her from those that picked on her, and silenced those that wanted to tell her family of her actions. But even after he disappeared without a word one day (as upset as she was, she knew full well that he longed to travel, just like her), Yvaine never stopped visiting the lower districts. The few hours she spent there each day felt like an adventure, and she came out of it knowing something new each time. This went on for years without her mother ever knowing, and her brothers acting as accomplices. Then one day, she came out of the passageway's exit to find her mother angrily waiting, a small battalion of palace guards accompanying her.

Yvaine was heartbroken. She had at last arrived at the end of her little adventures.

Her mother did not take her act of disobedience well. It was shameful and dishonorable, she said, to deceive family to play with vile lowborns. Her mother saw only one fitting punishment for such egregious behavior: total confinement within the palace until she deems her a presentable candidate for marriage. Until such a time, she would be under constant watch, with lessons doubled to ensure it properly sticks with her this time.

Before her mother could subject her to a life of imprisonment, Yvaine allowed herself one final act of rebellion. She ran away once again, this time escaping from the city, as she had always longed to do. It was time for a proper adventure. She dreaded the thought of disappointing her mother once again, but she knew this was something she must do or regret would consume her.

After successfully fleeing from Khloris, the first thing she thought to do was to seek out Luch, like she did as a child. She remembered vowing that she would join him in his travels one day, even as he brushed it off as an impossible endeavor, and she intended on fulfilling that vow. Unfortunately, Yvaine all but made it halfway to the neighboring city before a couple of drunken, lecherous guards cornered her. They advanced on her all at once, and as one had their hands clamped against her mouth, she was unable to cast any sort of protection spell. She struggled to break free, desperately kicking and clawing, but it hardly affected them. Just as she started fearing for the worst, there it was: a miracle.

It happened so suddenly that she never managed to properly process it. Blood pooled where the four guards laid, utter shock permanently etched on their faces. She was saved. When she realized that her savior was no other than Luch himself, Yvaine collapsed from relief, a cross between a sob and a laugh bubbling in her throat. Still completely shaken up and fearing she'd be left alone, she asked to join him, caring little about his destination.

Let me know if I missed anybody or anything!

Also, I'll be posting the first IC shortly! HUZZAH!

EDIT: It might take a few hours.. It is kinda long.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

Character Pairs List:

Linara and Vultog

Vultog: Portrayed by SwordfishKnight

Full Name: Vultog
Nicknames:None

Race: Orc-Elf

Gender: Male
Age: 18
Hair: Long flowing shoulder length black hair.
Skin: Light green.
Eyes: two different colors, the left eye being green and the right blood red.
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 160 lbs

Place of Birth: Vultog was born in the mountains, near a mining plant. In the village, race did not matter, only strength and camaraderie.

Appearance: While Vultog inherited his fighting spirit from his mother, he inherited his looks, at least in his face, from his father. His skin is light peach, with a green tint to the skin, in his mouth, he has two relatively small fangs. He is well built due to his mother’s training. His eyes are two different colors, his left eye being green and representing his father, while his right eye is red and represents his mother.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Diplomat, Guardian for Linara
Gear of choice: Vultog owns a sword named Fortune of the Gods. It is a large, serrated broadsword, almost the size of him, and was given for his bravery in war, the blade is constantly kept in a leather sheath that he carries, and is wrapped in cloth to prevent rust and other problems.
He wears a pair of leather pants, as well as a cloak to cover his face.

Positive Personality Traits: Can realize intentions and has a good set of morals, knowing who not to attack, and will help injured or people in trouble.
Negative Personality Traits: Attacks who he thinks may be evil.
Misc. Quirks: Enjoys the thrill of fighting trolls and other large creatures, if only for the danger it brings.
Likes: Fighting, killing bandits.
Dislikes: Spiders and Humans.
Hobbies: Enjoys sewing clothing in spare time, and taming animals.

Paired character: Linara(Strudel)
Connection with paired character: Vultog is a guardian for Linara, hired by her parents, after rescuing her from a bandit attack while she was traveling to the mining plant.
Fantastico.
History: Vultog was born to an elvish father and an orcish mother. Before he could walk, his mother was already training him in weapons. By the time he could speak, his father was teaching him eloquent words. By the time he was sixteen, he joined in a battle against ferocious beasts. He lost his best friend to one of these beasts, one that resembled a massive spider. After the battle, he received Fortune of the Gods, for his extreme bravery. When he left his parents to live on his own, he became a vigilante, protecting the roads that the gem miners used to transport cargo from gem mines, from bandits and robbers. One day, while he was watching over the roads, a carriage carrying the daughter of the owners of the company, was attacked by a large group of bandits. Vultog defended them until they got away, killing most of the bandits in the process. After hearing of the rescue, The parents of the daughter hired him to protect the daughter, and he has been serving them since.

---

Linara Samachi: Portrayed by Strudel

Full Name: Linara Samachi

Race: Human

Gender: Female
Age: 17
Hair: Brown
Skin: Pale
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5’2
Weight: 45kg

Place of Birth: Linara was born in the north of Veruulis where she spent much of her early childhood in a large castle hidden away in a frozen valley. Her family later moved to a large manor house just south of the mountains when she was in her early teens.

Appearance: At 5’2 Linara is a fairly average height for her age, though a little thinner than healthy. She has a very pale complexion mostly from her time spent in the north getting very little sunlight and spending most of her time indoors. Her hair is dark brown, very long but well kept. She normally allows it to flow loosely behind her but will sometimes tie it up for formal occasions.
She is fairly pretty with an angular face and light blue eyes yet she can still be somewhat intimidating when annoyed.

Occupation in the frontier forces: The Samachi Mining Company have paid a large sum of money for her to join the expeditionary forces. They hope that she can establish deals with the frontier teams to trade gems and take control the market before other companies can gain a market share.

Gear of choice: (include clothing, armor, weapons etc. if applicable.)
Linara uses a rapier as her weapon of choice. Her parents paid for her to be trained in dueling from a very early age. She has become very proficient with her blade and will often use it alongside her magic in a fight.
Much to her teachers despair, Linara often neglects the use of actual armour and prefers to wear normal clothes or dresses. As a result much of her clothing has been fitted with light padding though it is unlikely to stop anything but a glancing blow.

Positive Personality Traits: Confident, Sensible, Reliable
Negative Personality Traits: Arrogant, Irritable
Misc. Quirks: Has a tendency to flatter to those superior to her
Likes: Time alone, Practicing magic, Organisation
Dislikes: Inexperience,
Hobbies: Dueling

Paired character: Vultog
Connection with paired character: Vultog has been hired by Linara’s parents to protect her. She is not best pleased with this.

Fantastico

History:
Linara was born in a mountain range to the north of Veruulis where she spent much of her childhood. It became clear to her parents early on that Linara had an affinity for ice magic and they hired the best mages money could buy to hone her talent. When they eventually moved south of the mountains Linara was just entering her early teens and her magic was flourishing. The vast wealth of her parents allowed to her access to all possible avenues of learning and she prided herself in being the best she could be.
Despite a near limitless supply of money, Linara often found herself alone in her the families large manor house. Her parents spent much of their time away taking care of the families gem mining business and Linara was left with the servants and house guard for company.
It was in this time that the captain of the house guard took it upon himself to teach the young girl to duel. Using a couple of sticks and later blunted ceremonial swords, the captain taught Linara the basics of combat and in time her skill in the area became more than adequate. When the guard captain eventually retired to the south of Veruulis, he presented Linara with a finely crafted dueling rapier of her own.
Linara loved the sword, though now she had no one to practice with she found herself alone again with little to do. To make matters worse, The Samachi Mining Company had become the prime target for bandits. Her parents were around less than ever and on the rare occasions they did return they were both restless and aggravated.
In an attempt to escape the boredom and hostility of the manor, Linara asked to take on some of the families work. After all, she was the heiress to the company.
Her parents responded by sending her to some of the more local towns hoping she would find more customers for gems. This was dull but surprisingly easy work as gems were always in high demand from mages.
However, it was returning from one of these trips that her carriage was attacked by bandits hoping make a fortune by kidnapping her. Linara and her small guard put up a good fight but they were vastly outnumbered and under equipped. Then, just as it seemed the bandits would win, a half orc intervened, fending off the attackers brutal skill and efficiency.
Once they returned to the family manor, Linara’s parents decided to hire to young half orc as her permanent guardian… Despite Linara’s protests that she could have take care of herself.

Shani and Aerathanis

Shani Dark Star: Portrayed by Februari

Full Name: Shani (Shah-nee) Dark Star*
Nicknames:

Race: Raevan

Gender: Female
Age: 17
Hair: Long ebony feathers interspersed with several, fluffier slate-colored feathers
Skin: Ebony
Eyes: Gold
Height: 5' 4" (1.7m)
Weight: 125lb. (56.7kg)
Wingspan: 18' (5.49m)

* Note that the use of surnames varies from one unkindness (group of Raevan) to another and, with most being relatively small and some no larger than extended familial units, many Raevan go by but a single name. For those who do so, a secondary title typically emerges to distinguish one from another across geographically related unkindnesses. These titles tend not to be formal, but evolve through natural conversation and become de facto surnames. However, unlike traditional surnames, most such monikers have no familial thread - for example, while there are a handful of Dark Stars, none of them share any direct familial ties.

Place of Birth:
Molniya, a small, relatively remote island among the Floating Isles of Sachia. Generations are born and die there without having ever ventured more than an isle or two away for trade.

Appearance:


Shani is a lovely young Raevan. Her petite figure is light and her movements would best be described as possessing deliberate grace, both purposeful and fluid, while her flight is as elegant as it is fast. Within the range of Raevan coloration, Shani's skin tone is ashier than most with a slight bluish tint such that it's a shade closer to dark slate than ebony. While her feathers are, quite obviously, black like other Raevan, she likes to decorate herself by applying semi-permanent pigments to some among them to create a substantially more colorful effect. This is particularly true of those around her eyes and shoulders, which she often tints various shades of blue with the odd one done in titanium white. Her "hair" is a mix of long ebony feathers interspersed with several, fluffier slate-colored feathers and often a number of more exotic feathers woven in with thin brass or copper chains. Shani eschews clothing in general as it impedes her flight, though her feathering is light enough across her body that modesty compels her to wear at least a snugly fit skirt about her waist and hips. Her legs are bare to her knees, where long feathers begin and flow to her feet. In flight, Shani keeps her feet together and fans these feathers out for stability, but they're otherwise kept tucked neatly behind her calves.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Scout

Gear of choice:
Shani prefers to travel as lightly as possible, avoiding weapons and armor, though she's likely to carry small parcels or food and water, or other light items necessary for survival on extended flights. She wears a crude-looking necklace with several smoky-colored crystals - a family heirloom taken without permission, the gems of which are each capable of absorbing magical energy.

Personality:
Shani speaks in quick, lively bursts and, while she tries to catch herself, frequently interrupts others. She's quick-witted and carries herself confidently, even when she's clearly beyond her depth. Many find her audacious and even a little abrasive at first but, on pushing deeper, find a personable, spirited young woman whose finer qualities are tucked beneath a cavalier attitude toward her own mortality. She quite literally lives in and for the moment, challenging boundaries with courage and a spirit of self-reliance. While these traits are a boon to her as a scout, emboldening her to soar fearlessly across unfriendly or unknown winds, her personal life has tended to follow as well. She's attracted to what most would consider risky or thrill-seeking pass-times, and relationships follow a similar pattern, with her typically losing interest beyond the excitement of the initial novelty and thrill of the pursuit.

Positive Personality Traits: Bold, independent, self-reliant, emotionally stable, spontaneous, resourceful.

Negative Personality Traits: Dis-inhibition, issues with authority, aversion to repetition and routine, reckless.

Misc. Quirks: Shani loves to smoke just about anything, mainly because she's naturally fidgety and it gives her something to occupy her hands. She's terrified of spiders and does not consider them a dangerous thrill. Spiders are definitely for squashing, but only if someone else is going to do it.

Likes: In general, anything that offers a thrill, regardless of the magnitude or risk, draws Shani's attention. It should be of little surprise, then, that she likes to flirt and relishes the pursuit of boys, though only if there's some particular challenge to it. To their disappointment, she's rarely interested in more than the initial rush and loses interest quickly. She's particularly fond of flying and would be, for flightless creatures, the aerial equivalent of a gymnast or acrobat such is her aptitude and skill for it.

Dislikes: Spiders, picking Shafran pods.

Hobbies: Daydreaming, flirting, painting (she loves bright colors and most often uses her own feathers as her canvas).

Paired character: Aerathanis Dwin'raesh (Warm Regret)

Connection with paired character: Complicated. Shani and Aerathanis couldn't be more different. His draw toward the young Raevan is some sort of noble sense of protection, from herself, which she has no interest in whatsoever. Her draw toward him is the sport of provoking him to unease, either by deliberately endangering herself or creating socially awkward situations, which appear to cause him significant discomfort.

History:
Within the Raevan culture, it's considered a sign of good fortune to be born on a moonless night in the year of the dark star, when its faint glow can be seen in the heavens above. On such an eve, Shani was born and given the moniker Dark Star, as is tradition in such events so all know favors of the ancients were cast upon the fledgling. For her, however, good fortune would have placed her anywhere but on a tiny, relatively remote chunk of rock among the floating isles where she, along with a dozen or so siblings and cousins, tended to and harvested rare Shafran pods planted among the nooks of the island's cliffs. Few events were so exciting as a flight to the main island to sell pods at market and take in the sights of the Floating City, a complex arrangement of shifting terraces fashioned from the unique stone of the isles upon which stood magnificent structures whose brass-adorned spires gleamed in the sunlight.

For Shani, the monotony of the day-to-day was nigh unbearable, as there were few things she disliked more than picking pods. Instead, her days were often spent shirking her chores to fly among a series of inverted canyons on the isle's underside, a risky endeavor with their erratic turns and jagged edges. However, with her light frame and above-average wingspan for a girl of her size, she flitted about them fluidly carrying a glow of elation at the thrill of each nerve-wrenching turn. Her misspent days also saw the discovery of something entirely unexpected - an aptitude for magic. During one such flight on a particularly menacing-looking afternoon, thunderclouds engulfed much of the island, flashes of electricity crackling through them. As she neared one of the more treacherous turns, one such flash erupted immediately before her and sent a wave of adrenalin through her veins. Bluish flashes arced across her skin, such that she thought she'd actually been hit by the bolt. However, as she came to a hover and regained her composure, she noticed that the tiny arcs persisted, crackling across her skin but causing no harm. As she studied them, they moved in time with her thoughts as if subject to her will. The experience was exhilarating and would not be her last as a new layer of her existence was revealed.

Throughout her youth, dreams of adventure, other lands, or anything but picking pods filled her with hope and desire. Only one Raevan in recent memory had left island for any extended period, and that was her older sister Mareeth. To be fair, they were only sisters by birth, as Mareeth was some fifteen years her senior and they'd barely spoken in, well, ever. She was strong, courageous, worldly, and amazing. Shani often dreamed of Mareeth's adventures, inserting herself as the capable sidekick to witness her greatness and participate in some small way. When Mareeth returned for one last visit before embarking on an expedition to the mysterious lands of Ialdia, of which Shani had heard magnificent and dubious myths, the lure was unbearable. Shortly after Mareeth's departure, Shani gathered a light satchel-full of belongings and set off to join the expedition.

The journey to the launching site was an adventure in and of itself for the young Raevan. However, what greeted her was wholly unexpected. A diverse array of beings from all lands bustled about in preparation for the voyage, many making ready for the trip while other still vied for a berth. Given her age, it was a certainty that she'd be lined up with the other fledglings to compete for the handful of remaining vacancies. The trial before them was a narrow course set up along a cliff-side with protruding beams and tiny targets, the final of which was situated perilously close to a jagged set of rocks a the shoreline. She was ushered toward was a nervous, fidgety lot of Raevan from across Sachia, each more anxious than the next about the trials and whether they'd have the requisite talent or end up crashing themselves against a beam, or worse.

Most fared well enough, taking a respectable number of targets methodically with their weapon of choice while either hovering toward the one at the rocks or avoiding it altogether. When Shani's time came, her mind set itself on the inverted canyons back home and on her dreams of adventuring at Mareeth's side. No sooner had her launch been queued than she lunged into the air with pace, navigating the beams with previously undemonstrated speed and igniting the straw-filled targets with thin flashes of lightning. At the end of the course, Shani tucked her wings close to float over the final beam near the cliff's peak, and descend in a free fall toward the final target and accompanying rocks. Breaths were gasped and held nervously as onlookers watched her plummet ever faster downward until, at last, when most were certain they'd witness her grisly demise on the shore, Shani's wings fanned out, feathers in full array, and caught her within less than arm's reach of the rocks. Neon blue flashes spidered across the rocks, igniting the final target as she glided mere inches above it and returned to a round of applause from her junior peers. Though reckless, the performance earned her a place with the expedition. All that remained was a bond.

When Shani offered Mareeth's name, she thought the matter was settled. However, within the span of a brief exchange, the senior Raevan left no uncertainty that Shani was unwelcome and that she had no intention of letting the reckless youth hijack her adventure. Despite the sharp rebuke, and having lost a fair measure of respect for her sister, Shani seemed otherwise unphased by the exchange and remained intent on venturing to Ialdia. That prospect looked increasingly remote, however, as each day was met with more rejections from other Raevan who had either abandoned their dreams of wealth and adventure, or who sought a partner with more experience, or at least a little more sense. Throughout, she found herself repeatedly approached by an Elf chocked to the brim with advice she neither wanted nor needed, but who persisted in sharing it nonetheless. The incessant yammering about safety and restraint might've proved unbearable were it not for his reserved, serious nature and Shani's discovery that great sport could be found in deliberately provoking a reaction from the man. And so a bond was formed. While Shani continued her pursuit of another Raevan to share in the adventure, she often found herself seeking out Aerathanis for the amusement of trying to evoke some type of emotional response from the Elf, often by engaging in even riskier behaviors than she otherwise might. In fact, were he to consider the dynamics of their relationship, he might see the irony that in seeking to protect the young Raevan from impetuousness, he instead incites it.

---

Aerathanis Dwin'raesh: Portrayed by Warm Regret

Full Name: Aerathanis Dwin'raesh (pron: Air-ath-on-is Dwin-ray-sh)

Nicknames: Na’milon

Race: Elf

Gender: Male
Age: 180 or about 30 in human years
Hair: Ash Blonde
Skin: Pale White
Eyes: Gold
Height: 6’ 2"
Weight: 185 lbs.

Place of Birth: The lush forests of Siilara. His clan controls the centermost location of Siilara known as Teresta Vel’ai.

Appearance: As elves go, Aerathanis does not particularly stand out when it comes to looks. It is rare for elven-kind to be considered unattractive and he is of no exception. Although toned, he does not appear overly muscular. He is quite trim for his height, possessing broad shoulders and a slim waist. Standing at about 6’ 2”, he is taller than most. His hair is a long, ash blonde, pulled to the back of his head in two taut ponytails, one just above the other. The bottom most tail reaches down to the nape of his neck, the one just before it stopping about half the length of the lower.

His skin is pale white. His eyes are gold and intense with a stare that could freeze one’s heart if you gazed upon them for too long. Almost never smiling are a pair of thin pale lips. The middle of his face houses a small nose that is somewhat pointed and slender, matching his dignified features. His exposed ears are pointed towards the sky and he has a strong jaw line, with a face as smooth as polished glass.

Oddly, he has a rather intimidating appearance but is somehow pleasant to look at.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Guard/Medic/Researcher

Gear of choice:

Armor: Elvish armor. He is armored moderately, wearing sturdy leather boots of a pale silver hue with light pieces metal forged into them. The metals are painted in a pattern of dull gold and deep crimson which cover the toe and sides of his foot as well as the circumference of the front of his legs. The boots stretch up to his knees, where once again light pieces of metal are forged into flat and rectangular shin guards. His leggings are reinforced leather, also pale silver in color, with a wide belt buckled at his inner thighs. His breastplate is the same dull gold and rich crimson as the rest of his armor. The armor is not bulky but more fitted and compact, with a piece on either side that protects his upper thighs. To complete the matching set, is a pair of gauntlets made similarly as his boots, also with elbow guards.

Weaponry: Talaenar, a sword that is long and polished. The sword looks as if it has rarely been used but upon closer inspection, one would notice that it is slightly worn, just very well taken care of. The hilt has the same gold color of his armor, the base of which houses a small ruby colored jewel. The jewel absorbs magic energy over time. His scutum style shield is probably the heaviest piece of equipment to carry but it is almost unnoticeable to him after years of toting it around. The shield also matches his armor in terms of color, dull gold on top, dark red on bottom. It is decorated with the picture of a rising sun in the center. To the lower left of the sun is a silver crescent moon and to the lower right of the sun is a red star.

Other Items: He also carries some elvish coin, his journal and a twig from the Coia tree, sacred to his kingdom.

Personality: Aerathanis is a quiet and conservative individual, spending much of his free time in his journal, rather than giving in to self indulgence. He exudes an aloof and superior air which sometimes gets him into trouble but those who bother to get to know him are pleasantly surprised by his civility. Due to his serious nature, he isn’t one for fun and games. It would take more than a life time to hear him crack a joke and almost as long to see him laugh at one. He can be a little awkward in social settings, having spent much of his life in isolation and then constantly traveling. He also tends to struggle with inner turmoil, never really seeking outside help with his fears, troubles or concerns. He has never been romantically involved with anyone but has come to realize that he prefers the company of other men.

He is proficient with a sword and shield although his particular training favors use of the later. His swordsmanship is above par, he would be able to out duel a common swordsman but he is a master by no means. His fighting tactics rely heavily on his shield. With a shield, he is a defense specialist. He is also adept in using his shield offensively. With the ability to use light magic to a mediocre degree, almost all of his spells require use of his shield. He can also heal minor injuries, anything more than that is out of his league.

Positive Personality Traits: Chivalrous towards others and fearless in battle, he ready to stand against a horde of foes to protect that which must be protected. He is a benevolent man and cannot ignore the pleas of those in need.

Negative Personality Traits: He doesn’t appear to be very approachable and gives off an air of superiority. He can be blunt and direct which may come off as him being cold or insensitive but he just doesn’t know any better.

Misc. Quirks: He likes to sing when he thinks no one is listening and actually has a wonderful voice.

Likes: Order, Sunrises, Trees, Good natured People, Scenic Overlooks, Animals, Justice, Honor.

Dislikes: Indecisiveness, Cowardice, Oppression, Depravity, Dishonesty, Injustice, Vampires, Necromancers, Demons, and the Undead.

Hobbies: He enjoys reading, especially information on other races.

Paired character: Febuari

Fantastico

Connection with paired character: Guardian (He behaves like more of an authoritative figure than a bodyguard). As part of his pilgrimage, he has to find a partner, someone with whom he can travel to Ialdia. Shani was probably the last person he would have expected to pair with, given the stark differences in their personalities. Truly, he considers her more of a nuisance than anything but it was her innocence and inexperience that drew him to her and it was her impressive recklessness that compelled him to want to protect her, partially from herself.

History: Aerathanis was born to the house of Dwin'raesh known to produce warriors and knights for his clan. Normally, he would have been raised in the way of the sword and with luck, been appointed to serve his lord or lady in whatever capacity they saw fit. To a lesser degree, he would have been made a soldier and tasked with the role of protecting their home from outside threats… however there was a slight exception to this cycle. Every couple hundred years or so, when certain conditions are met, someone is chosen during childhood to become “Na’milon” and trained as a Paladin. Instead of being trained in the ways of the warrior, they are sent away and follow the distinct style of the soul and shield, an ancient and mostly symbolic practice. Aerathanis was that -lucky- child.

In his youth, Aerathanis resented this role because instead of following in the footsteps of his brothers and sisters, he had to follow a different path, one not tread very often nor one he thought useful. The whole Paladin of light role was more of a tradition if anything, stemming from some ancient lore of the elves. While it did instill some sense of unity and high spirits for their clan, it was mostly a pointless undertaking, culminating in a pilgrimage which when completed marked the beginning of a year long celebration.

Barely into his teenage years, he was sent away for training, deep into the Storm Wall Mountains. His teacher, Baelora, became more than a mentor, she filled the role of mother and father. She was an older woman, several times his age, who had completed the Pilgrimage many years before and it would be he who surpassed her when the time came to mentor the next Na'milon. Life with Baelora was difficult to begin with, in truth, her mentoring was more rigorous and precise than if he were to be trained as a knight or solider. Not only did she teach him in the ways of combat, she also molded his mind and spirit in the ways of the Paladin, instilling in him Confidence, Honor and Resolve. After he reached maturity, he and Baelora would occasionally visit the nearest monastery. There he was trained in the use of light or soul magic but the time spent there was never extended. Besides brief introductions, he was limited to interactions with a chosen monk for lessons in magic. Baelora would then help him perfect the technique that allowed him to integrate the magic he learned with his mastery of the shield.

When he and Baelora finally returned to their clan, he was almost immediately summoned by the Lady of their house and given his task. It was his duty to complete the Pilgrimage to Ialdia by joining the exhibition force and attempt to eradicate its curse, or at least bring back with him some useful information for the scholars. He questioned his Ladyship’s decision to begin the pilgrimage now, expressing his desire to remain with his people, where he thought he would be more useful. Unfortunately, his Ladyship thought differently and felt that by going on this pilgrimage, he would “bring a light of hope back to their people”.

During his pilgrimage, he was able to visit the Sachia base camp. He thought himself fortunate to be able to witness one of their rituals, where the young Raevan were required to complete a trial in order to prove one self ready to join the expeditions. Finding a sparsely populated spot to join the spectators, he whipped out his small journal. It wasn’t until a young female Raevan appeared, showing extraordinary skill and determination, that he stopped writing.

Without even knowing her name, he could almost tell her life story, just by watching her movements. She surpassed all the other applicants but did so by showing a total disregard for her own life. It infuriated him that someone so young and talented, could risk so much so easily. He could see the potential in her, however such talent would be wasted if she continued on such a reckless path. In all his years traveling, no one had ever provoked such strong feelings in him and against his better judgment, he took it as a sign. When the time was right, he approached Shani, kneeling and placing a fist to his breast. “My lady. My name is Aerathanis Dwin’raesh, Paladin of Teresta Vel’ai. If you allow me to be your partner, I vow to protect you on our journey.”

Emric and Rickon

Emric Auberon-Hamish: Portrayed by Raid

Full Name: Emric Auberon-Hamish
Nicknames: Chief, Boss, Em, Emy, Ricky (It depends on who’s doing the speaking, really.)

Race: human

Gender: female
Age: 31
Hair: deep and thick brown
Skin: tanned
Eyes: brown
Height: 5’ 8”
Weight: 150

Place of Birth: Hillcrest, a town in the south west of Aega that is two days travel from the port town Stuttgart that is a large hub for trade and commerce.

Appearance: Being a mother of twelve living children has giving Emric a strong body as well as a rounded one. Her hips are wider than her breasts, creating more of a pear shape. Her feet are calloused and ugly with cracking skin, often a blacking toe nail, and dirt. She avoids wearing shoes when possible. Scars on her stomach from her pregnancies are slim lines of shining bronze against the darker tones of Emric’s skin. She manipulates her brown hair into plaits, buns, and twists or whatever fits her fancy that day. Pieces of dried flowers, metal, or cloth, is often added in. Her thick eyebrows overshadow thin, deep set eyes. Her curved nose matches her rounded chin and cheeks. She likes to paint her lips different colors as well as applying ash to her eyelids. She can’t bend one of her wrists.

Occupation in the frontier forces: Midwife & Healer
Gear of choice: Emric wears tunics and leggings mostly because of how active she is. When making runs between villages and homes, she wraps her breasts. She has two dresses she wears when feeling particularly spunky. She owns a pair of boots that spend more time sagging in a corner of her house than on her feet. When lounging about her shop she always has a collection of beads and jewelry on. Rings on her fingers, bells on her ankles, layers of necklaces ranging from elegant stones to pieces of carved wood. (It is due to her love for jewelry that she loves Dwarves or maybe it’s due to an old lover who was a Dwarf that she likes jewelry?)
Most of her down time is spent fixing her basket that she keeps strapped to her back when traveling for her work or collecting ingredients for medicines and drugs. Woven only from sapling branches, she lines it with leather to cushion anything inside. Several pouches hang off her hip along with a bronze knife forearms length long for gathering and preparing medicines; it is a family heirloom. (She refuses to use any other metal in her work.)

Positive Personality Traits: Polite, Calculating, Consistent, Steady
Negative Personality Traits: Fussy, Particular, Superstitious
Misc. Quirks: She likes to keep a chair facing Northeast in her shop, but no-one is allowed to sit in it; she wakes up to watch the sun rise and then goes back to sleep for another hour or so; she does not accept money or coins as payment for her services and knowledge.
Likes: proper hygiene, jewelry & trinkets, courtesy, Dwarves, chatting, gossip
Dislikes: shoes, mercenaries, Scael & Raevan & Elves
Hobbies: Running, drinking tea

Paired character: Rickon Vitala
Connection with paired character: The Order of Surma contracts Emric to produce Hiisi for their members, like Rickon.

Fantastico

History: Like most midwives and those learned in medicines, it is a family trade. Something Emric grew up learning from her mother and grandmother. When to collect clover and how to store sage. To only make Hiisi during the three days of new moon for the most potent batches. That a baby comes out easier if the mother crouches during labor instead of laying down. And sometimes, it is the husband, not the wife, that is infertile. Emric was the first born. Other families might consider this a disappointment, but her birth was celebrated (her mother cut her fees to half for almost a fortnight because she was so happy). She grew up separate from her four younger brothers (Caspar, Gable, Louis, & Mikkel) who tended the family shop while the women were away doing jobs or collecting items. Her father insisted that the family always ate dinner together—the only thing he ever stood up to her mother about. What she knows of her brothers and father came from those dinners that they made with the help of Oma, their grandmother.

Adept in healing, Emric began to show her proficiency in the business side of the family shop. Smooth in trades and savvy with customers her brothers began seeking apprenticeships elsewhere because their sister took over most of the working. Caspar and Gable both married and moved further south along Aega where the shadow of Sachia’s floating islands were like clouds in the sky. Louis ended up working the docks Stuttgart and found himself a permanent position as the quartermaster aboard the Open Line. Mikkel continues to help around the shop and married a girl who does not speak half as much as Emric does. He claims the quiet is nice. Despite being the oldest, she did not marry until she was twenty. Oh, she was engaged several times, but finally settled down with a man who traveled so much that he was gone from Hillcrest the majority of the year. The arrangement worked out fairly well.

She entertained a handful of lovers, but all of her children are Dobry’s. And all twelve of them are damned boys. She lost three girls either to sickness or miscarriage. Maybe that is what turned their relationship sour—or maybe it was because he kept on spending more and more time in Hillcrest—or maybe it was her mother’s suicide—or—either way, it didn’t matter. She was twenty-three the first time he hit her. Three months after she delivered another set of twins. The girl was a stillborn and the boy came out blue. He wanted to have sex and she told him to go to a whorehouse. She does not think either of them expected what happened after that. Her sixth son was the result of that copulation. It was not until she had her ninth son and miscarried her third girl that he hurt her again, snapped her wrist and crippled that hand. She does not remember the reason. She does not think there was a reason. At least, all the times after that there was not a reason, that she was sure of.

It was Oma, who lived with Mikkel and his mouse-wife, that gifted the steel knife to Emric. “It solved the problem of my husband,” her crinkled grandmother said. “It will fix yours, too.” And it did. When her last set of twins were born a year ago, she did not care that they were boys because now they were her boys, now. Only hers.

But having a full brood of children and only one person to watch them became hard, so the bursting house became more full one Oma, Mikkel, his wife, and his two daughters joined them. Then, her father, who left town after her mother’s suicide, came back too. And for six months a soothing bliss existed. Like light rainfall during a hot summer week. Or the first snow. Or the first croquis to push out of the frozen ground…then a blight began to eat at the G. Dissecta. Now for those unaware of the Hiisi and its making, all you need to know is that this is a very, very bad thing.

So bad, in fact, that she finally met with the men who kept Emric’s family comfortable, who, in fact, always made sure that the women of Auberon stayed comfortable: the Order of Surma. But she was accepted in the frontier expedition for her medical knowledge and prowess—not to cook up another drug like Hiisi.

---

Rickon Viitala: Portrayed by Fennick

Full Name: Rickon Viitala
Nickname(s): “Knight of the Curls” - “Hunter” - “Murderer” (That isn't a popular one)

Race: Human

Gender: Male
Age: 27
Hair: A wavy mess of dirty blonde that dances and weaves across the top of his head. He's known to keep up a regular six months trim to his hair doesn't become unruly and hinder his performance.
Skin: Fair toned, hailing from a people who dwell in the tundra, you don't tend to tan well under harsh suns.
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'11”
Weight: 171

Place of Birth: Rickon doesn't know where he was born, however, as his parents were described as locals, he believes he was born in the city of Frigg. The most Northerly city of Aega.

Appearance:

Knight of the Curls was not a moniker that was earned without reason; even from his youth, Rickon's hair had always been rather lively. A bundled mess of dark blonde curls, that knot tightly in places, frizz and spring up in others, all which seemingly complement his features, his blue eyes, youthful face and half smile. Rickon long stopped attempting to follow any sense of grooming and gave it free reign, minus the annual the six month trim he receives.

As a warrior, Rickon is not what most would picture; He lacks in that imagined chiselled jawline, the hard stare, commanding presence and muscles that want to burst out of its armour. Rickon is lithe, fresh-faced, a cheeky stare and an easy laugh, he bares a few scares across his face from his adventures and training but none that immediately jump out – he would appear to be more the young recruit than harden soldier, however, his body speaks of a different story. Unlike his face, which has been sparred from a mauling, his body has taken the brunt of his enemies attacks, baring several scars he has several stories to speak entertain with. It is a body built for endurance, he knows he will never possess such strength to deal with the monsters which he has become so accustomed to, so he must outlast. He must be faster, quicker, he must be agile and know when to use his strength to deliver the killing blow. To survive in the most harshest of circumstances.

Occupation in the frontier force; Representative from the Order of Surma; aka, monster hunter and general monster know-it-all.

Gear of choice:

Jackets, trousers, boots and glove made largely out of leather, his jacket is under-laced with fine interlinked chain-mail, providing a needed protection, but usually, he dresses in whatever makes him comfortable with the obvious protection covering his vitals.

His weapon of choice is his silver-blade called Virgin (you'll have to ask him about the name). A two handed weapon which has served him faithfully over the years. The sword itself lacks anything noticeable or fancy, as Rickon puts it; “A sword shouldn't be gaudy, as long as it blood lets, it's a good enough blade.” And Virgin is pretty good at what she does.

Personality:
An Order of Surma hunter is – despite their expertise in hunting monsters – not always a welcome sight. Rickon learned this lesson early on in life and became more aloof as a result, weighing up the reception he receives from the other characters in his vicinity before loosening up. Too often has he taken a job from a village who were just as ready to drive him out same as the monster he had just slain. Once he eases up and feels that the people around him won't try and kill him, Rickon is a light-hearted character, he enjoys a laugh, a drink or two and the company of friends, alas, sometimes he feels this is a façade. He is a man whose experiences have aged him remarkably, he has seen some of the worst aspects of the nature of the creatures of the land, and whilst this has saw him take on a more nihilistic view on life, it has also given him some foresight and wisdom into the world, making him often the unlikely leader and source of comfort and protection. Though never made apparent, Rickon is far more serious, knowable and unfortunately, sombre person, than what he lets on.

Unfortunately, like all surviving Order of Sumra hunters. Rickon is addicted to the substance, Hiisi. Introduced into his diet as soon as it became apparent he was growing into a man, Hiisi starts life as plant that, once infused with magic, can provides moderate magical abilities, greater endurance, strength and stamina. However, the downside is that without regular consumption the mind will grow addled and a rage will slowly build until the conscious fully snaps – unless Rickon has asked you to kill him first.

Paired Character: Emric Auberon-Hamish
Connection with pared Character: Business associates of sorts; Emric is one of several providers of Hiisi to the Order of Sumra, but her batches are usually the most potent and fresh. The Order has also funded her to accompany Rickon to Laidia due to her knowledge on botany and to see if the order can find a replacement for Hiisi.

History:

Rickon has no real memory of his parents, fuzzy recollections of a doting mother and a father who argued they couldn't afford to feed another mouth, but Rickon is unable to recall names or even what they look like. At a young age he was sold to the Order of Surma; a secretive and old order of monster hunters. Some would call them heroes, others would refer to them with less enthusiastic titles. Early memories are of harsh winds that would sneak over the black walls of the secluded Seminary in the Cliffs that overlooked the Bitter Sea, the early morning training – brutally hard – the bowls of soup for breakfast with the large cuts of bread and sometimes butter, the numerous cuts and bruises and tears, the small cups of ale himself and the other children were granted at the end of each week if they had behaved, the warm fires in the coldest winter and his small room, his small bed, his pile of books he collected and his small window that overlooked the sea itself and the outline of lights in the distance from the city of Frigg he'd always look to in the night.

For how difficult the Order of Sumra drilled it's children, Rickon had escaped – at least, he assumed he escaped – a life of dire poverty and for the majority, his life within the Seminary in the Cliffs was a happy one.

From boy to man; Rickon was soon sent out into the world to prove himself, to wet his blade and return with the head of the creature of his first hunt and become a full brother of the Order. He returned to the Seminary with the head of a vampyre matriarch – with scars of his own to show for it – and thus began his tales and adventures. As a young man, he was quick to discover that he could lead an incredibly rewarding life, as the motto went; “The bigger the beast, the bigger the pay.” Vampyres, werewolves, lakelarks. Spriggans and banshees. With it came coin, ale and women; a young man drunk on the thrill of the hunt and its rewards. He grew braggart, cocksure, he would step into the monsters lair with no care, no plan, his confidence was an uneasy shield.

Rickon's illusions of the world however came to a crashing halt as he almost met his demise, not at claws of some foul creature within it's den, but at the hands of armed simple-folk. For most of his life, since he began to yearn to begin his journey into the outside world, he had held onto the idea that he would be viewed a hero, that the Order of Sumra was a name that instantly commanded respect and awe. The spearhead that sank into his thigh reminded me that the world held alternative views. That day Rickon killed his first men and came to face the reality that his order was not widely loved; in some places, he was viewed in the same light as the monsters he fought and in other places, a butcher of species committing a slow genocide.

He grew to become more contemplating, that it was not only the beasts he fought that he needed to assess, but people also. He soon knew where he was wanted, who wanted to hire him but soon wanted him to leave once he was paid, who would paid him, who would try and avoid paying him, and who would try and kill him – and several would try. These experiences helped him mature and ultimately avoid an early grave.

As consequence Rickon became one of the order's most reliable students, growing into something of a minor legend back home as his exploits grew with each creature tamed. It was why he was selected, as a representative of the Order, to accompany the expedition to Laidia.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

deadline officially reached, anyone who hasn't sent me their finished CS yet, please do so within the next day so I can set up a full post with all the pairs in it. I will be making my first IC post tomorrow afternoon MST US (about 12 hrs from when I'm posting this) Lets get things started, WOO!

Hiders inside Hiders and BBCode.

Hiders within hiders don't seem to work for whatever reason. It would be nice to have that as a thing, so that we could put groups together of multiple CSs and stuff like that.
Also, Is BBCode ever going to make its return? I really miss different fonts and color variations.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

And since I'm sitting at work not doing much of anything, I figure I can start explaining how the first bit of this RP is going to go down.

Alright, so the way this is going to work at first is very structured. I want to give everyone a chance to post and get used to their own dynamic before we make landfall.
To do this, everyone will be given a chance to make one post before the ship docks at the barebones colony that has been setup along the western coast of Ialdia, at the mouth of a river they have named the Brinetooth. I will make a first post from the perspective of a few different important characters that will be accompanying you into the colony. These will be important characters like Mining directors, expedition leads, and the like. Take note of these individuals, if you ever intend to interact with them, I will be the one voicing them. This allows me the opportunity to interact with the players without having any specific character, and therefore direct certain events.

I will be marking each large event with a title, like so:
MAKING LANDFALL (1)
I will then fill this area with my post from different perspectives.

---

The number after the title is the amount of posts each player will get during that segment. After I have made my post, each of you is free to post whenever you see fit. If you intend to interact with either your partner or another character, it is best to let them know in advance you wish to speak with them, and then work out a collab post, so that you can have a conversation in one post rather than exchange 1 bit of dialogue and have an extremely prolonged conversation over like 10 posts. There's a perfect site for collabs but I can't seem to remember what it's called, I'll ask my roommate once he gets up and then I'll post the site name here.
If anyone is unfamiliar with collab posts, they are simply posts between 2 or more players that are squished into one post. These allow for entire conversations or events to play out in one bigger post instead of in a dozen fragmented posts. This is much nicer and easier to follow than the traditional method, and is much preferred here.

So, each of you will get one post during the "making landfall" segment. Once a segment has concluded, I will post again from varying perspectives under the title of the next segment. In this case, the next segment is called "colonization", and each player will be given 5 posts in this segment to do whatever they see fit with whomever. Exploration during this segment will be rather limited. Segments will continue in this fashion until the RP is completed. If you have any questions about the structure just let me know.

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EDIT: Appearently I've hit the character limit in the OP.. Which is around 66,000 characters, in case you were curious... So i''ll post them all in a single post here on page ten once I have collected them all.

EDIT #2: The collab site I mentioned is Titanpad.com. Once you create an account there, you can invite others to your personal pad via an invite button that give you a unique link to send them. Once they have the link, you can work together on your post. There is a built in IM screen to the right so so can discuss it together.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

If anyone hasn't sent me their finished CS yet, please do so, so that I can copy them all into the OP instead of looking through 10 pages of stuff for them.

The Lost Lands of Ialdia: A paired high fantasy RP

No you're fine Dizzy, people just like me to look over them. And the deadline is by the end of today in my timezone (MST US). so from right now the deadline hits in about 16hrs, give or take a bit. As soon as the deadline is over I'll be posting up all the pairs in the OP and explaining the introductory posting style, and then we'll get started!