Sedjwick

The World of Aerion

Elric gazed up at the Tower of Oculus, even more amazed by it's size up close than when he saw it from afar in Falke. When word had come that the Monks of Ekilore had a prophecy and requested emissaries of the nations to hear the prophecy and thus change the fate of their world, Elric had immediately requested permission from Lord Dunston Hawke to travel to Ekilore as an emissary of Falke. Like all the soldiers of Falke, he had heard the rumors of Miraheim mobilizing for war and the civil unrest in Ethora and the quarrels within Raelus and Palaven, and so much more that could portend the collapse of the world as we know it. With so much turmoil in the world, even a glimmer of hope would be welcome, and a prophecy from the shadowy, but respected, Monks of Ekilore was so much more than a glimmer of hope - it was a beacon, a light in the darkness. And so, with the blessings of both Lord Dunston Hawke, and King Frederick Highclaw III, Elric had journeyed to Ekilore on a mission to save the world from catastrophe.

The journey to Ekilore had been rather uneventful. He had traveled on horseback from the garrison at Skyfall to the port at Falcon Peak, and from there he had boarded a ship bound for Ekilore. The tossing of the ship on the waves had unsettled Elric's stomach at first, but after one short bout of seasickness, the queasiness subsided and the rest of the voyage had passed quietly, the ship aimed always at the Tower of Oculus, seeming to rise out of the sea even before the island came into view.

Finally, the ship docked at the island and Elric disembarked, taking a moment to marvel at the massive tower before he grew uneasy with the insignia of the monks that seemed to be watching him. He stepped forward and the massive iron door to the massive building opened. Stepping inside, Elric was greeted by a Eunuch who led him to a golden platform in the center of the Grand Library that Elric found himself in. Elric stood in awe of the vast collection of books and art housed in the library. He had never seen so many books and artwork in his life, and he was certain that some of the pieces contained in this library were the only one of their kind, or at least the only surviving one of their kind. He gazed around him at the massive library as he followed the Eunuch onto the platform. Once Elric had joined him, the Eunuch pulled a lever and the platform rose up, giving Elric a view of all the books and paintings and murals that resided in the Grand Library. Elric would have commented on the amazing vastness of the library and the tomes and works of art it contained, but the room's sheer vastness left him speechless.

Finally, the platform stopped in an empty stone room that seemed to serve no other purpose than as an antechamber between the library and the room beyond the iron door. The Eunuch opened the iron door, and Elric was greeted by a strong wind. Looking through the door, Elric could see the reason for the wind: this section of staircase had no outer wall; it was completely open to the elements. Looking out from the stairs, Elric could see the entirety of the lands of Aerion laid out in the distance on the sea below. From such a high vantage point, many of the landforms of the continent were indistinguishable, and cities and villages and other human dwellings could not be made out at all, but remembering his geography, Elric could tell exactly where the borders of each nation were. He kept himself close to the wall as he followed the Eunuch up the stairs, constantly glancing out at the breathtaking scene laid out below. Finally, he reached the archway over the iron door that led to the observatory of the Monks of Ekilore. Here he would wait for the monks to summon him to their presence, a bit of nervousness showing on his face, wondering what prophecy the monks had to speak to him.

Elric leaned against the wall and waited. One other person had arrived before him - a military man much like Elric himself, judging by the man's armor. Elric recognized the sigil of House Reigncliff on the spaulders of the man's armor, marking him as Ethorian. Elric regarded him silently, his gaze, as usual, hidden in the shadow cast by the hawk helmet of the High Dragoon, making it impossible for the man to tell if Elric even was looking at him or merely gazing idly as he waited for the monks to receive them.

The World of Aerion

Sir Elric Orstein, High Dragoon to Lord Dunston Hawke

Name: Sir Elric Orstein, High Dragoon to Lord Dunston Hawke
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Country of Origin: Falke
Appearance: Elric cuts an imposing figure, standing at an even 6 feet tall with a perfectly sculpted body due to the rigorous training he has undergone for most of his life. His skin has a healthy tan to it and shows off his impressive musculature due to much of his service in the Dragoons being spent outdoors bearing heavy equipment for hours on end. He keeps his jet black hair cut short on top of his head and rarely allows it to grow on his face for more than a day or two without shaving if he can help it. His dark gray eyes are set deep within his face and are often shaded by the overhang of the hawk helmet of the High Dragoon, making his expression often difficult to read. This is not helped by the fact that he is naturally rather stony-faced to begin with.
Personality: Elric's training in the Dragoons has instilled within him a fierce loyalty for his comrades in even the direst situations, and now, as High Dragoon, he employs a policy of leaving no man behind. His training with the Dragoons has also taught him valuable leadership skills, but also the humility to submit to the authority of a superior officer (although in his role of High Dragoon, the only superiors he has are Lord Dunston Hawke and King Frederick Highclaw III). That being said, he is not above questioning orders that he thinks are foolish or go against his morals or code of honor. Concerning his code of honor, Elric believes in dealing fairly and honestly with all people, even if they do not give him the same courtesy. He will not attack an unarmed enemy, nor will he attack an enemy who is unable to defend himself as such would be unfair. As for honesty, he will never say anything that is blatantly untrue, but that doesn't mean he will necessarily reveal the whole truth about something. His speech is often guarded, and he will often take time to consider his words before responding to any query, choosing just how much it is wise and polite to reveal. However, he is not above being sarcastic or even downright rude in his speech and dealings with people he finds distasteful, especially if he is under no social or hierarchical constraint to be kind or polite to them. In general, though, Elric is a kind and altruistic person to most people he meets unless they should do something to somehow prove that they do not deserve his kindness.
History: Elric was born the second son of Count Cedric Orstein IV, a minor noble in the lands of House Hawke. With his brother, Cedric V, the heir apparent to the county of Orstein and betrothed at birth to the daughter of a wealthy Baron, Elric was somewhat more free to choose his own future. He could not inherit his father's county (nor did he really want to, for that matter), but nearly any other option was available to him: he could marry into another noble family and become a count or baron himself; he could join the army as either a knight, archer, or dragoon; or he could set out and forge his own life anywhere else. In terms of the first option, that was how the house of Orstein became nobility five generations prior when Gareth Orstein came from Miraheim and married a widowed Countess who bore for him a son and heir to the county, Cedric Orstein I. Regarding the second option, many second and later sons of the house of Orstein had chosen that route and had served the Lord of House Hawke and the Falcon King with valor and honor. Regarding the third option, this had been chosen a few times among the sons of House Orstein, most recently by Elric's uncle Edward who had undertaken a holy pilgrimage to find meaning in life and had eventually come to Palaven where he now serves the Church of the One. Regarding Elric's disposition to these options, the first was wholly unappealing to him - while Elric did hope to one day to get married, he had no aspirations of being nobility. The life of a nobleman, while certainly comfortable, involved far too many duties that simply did not suit Elric's personality. The third option likewise did not appeal to Elric. Elric was an adventurous man who had traveled to a few of the other kingdoms of Aerion in his youth, but Falke would always be his home, and he had no desire to simply wander through the kingdom until he found an appealing prospect. The second option was much more to Elric's liking as it allowed him to serve the kingdom that he loved, gave him a stable life, and offered the possibility of adventure. Therefore, at the age of sixteen, Elric left his home for the nearest garrison and enlisted in the Dragoons.
Qualifying for service in the Dragoons was no easy task, and many prospective soldiers didn't last one year through the training. Those that did last usually took four or more years to complete all the training and fitness requirements to finally qualify for service in the Dragoons. In fact, there had never been a candidate who qualified for the Dragoons at a younger age than 20 years. Therefore, it was quite a surprise when Elric, through much hard work and perseverance, donned the arms and armor of the Dragoons at the age of eighteen, just over two years after beginning the training. Elric's ambition did not stop there, however. He served faithfully in the Dragoons for the next twelve years, quickly ascending the ranks of the military branch until achieving the rank of High Dragoon in only ten years, a feat unheard of in the entire history of the Dragoons. Since the establishment of the Dragoons, no one had ever achieved the rank of High Dragoon in less than fifteen years, and no one had ever achieved the rank before age 40, yet Elric did both, to the amazement (and occasional jealousy) of all his comrades. Now, with the turmoil in Aerion and the prophecy of the Monks of Ekilore, Elric, with the blessings of Lord Hawke and King Highclaw, sets out for Ekilore to hear the prophecy of the Monks and do his part to save not only the kingdom of Falke, but all of Aerion. He has no idea what any of this may entail, but he is determined to do his part because if the people who love their land won't take a stand to save it, who will?
Weapon Preference: Elric is most skilled with his spear, a long, barb-headed pike, but will often start a fight using his bow and arrows until the enemy comes into spear range, at which point he will switch over to his spear.
Side: Knights of Ekilore

The World of Aerion

@TheLazarus My character

Sir Elric Orstein, High Dragoon to Lord Dunston Hawke

Name: Sir Elric Orstein, High Dragoon to Lord Dunston Hawke
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Country of Origin: Falke
Appearance: Elric cuts an imposing figure, standing at an even 6 feet tall with a perfectly sculpted body due to the rigorous training he has undergone for most of his life. His skin has a healthy tan to it and shows off his impressive musculature due to much of his service in the Dragoons being spent outdoors bearing heavy equipment for hours on end. He keeps his jet black hair cut short on top of his head and rarely allows it to grow on his face for more than a day or two without shaving if he can help it. His dark gray eyes are set deep within his face and are often shaded by the overhang of the hawk helmet of the High Dragoon, making his expression often difficult to read. This is not helped by the fact that he is naturally rather stony-faced to begin with.
Personality: Elric's training in the Dragoons has instilled within him a fierce loyalty for his comrades in even the direst situations, and now, as High Dragoon, he employs a policy of leaving no man behind. His training with the Dragoons has also taught him valuable leadership skills, but also the humility to submit to the authority of a superior officer (although in his role of High Dragoon, the only superiors he has are Lord Dunston Hawke and King Frederick Highclaw III). That being said, he is not above questioning orders that he thinks are foolish or go against his morals or code of honor. Concerning his code of honor, Elric believes in dealing fairly and honestly with all people, even if they do not give him the same courtesy. He will not attack an unarmed enemy, nor will he attack an enemy who is unable to defend himself as such would be unfair. As for honesty, he will never say anything that is blatantly untrue, but that doesn't mean he will necessarily reveal the whole truth about something. His speech is often guarded, and he will often take time to consider his words before responding to any query, choosing just how much it is wise and polite to reveal. However, he is not above being sarcastic or even downright rude in his speech and dealings with people he finds distasteful, especially if he is under no social or hierarchical constraint to be kind or polite to them. In general, though, Elric is a kind and altruistic person to most people he meets unless they should do something to somehow prove that they do not deserve his kindness.
History: Elric was born the second son of Count Cedric Orstein IV, a minor noble in the lands of House Hawke. With his brother, Cedric V, the heir apparent to the county of Orstein and betrothed at birth to the daughter of a wealthy Baron, Elric was somewhat more free to choose his own future. He could not inherit his father's county (nor did he really want to, for that matter), but nearly any other option was available to him: he could marry into another noble family and become a count or baron himself; he could join the army as either a knight, archer, or dragoon; or he could set out and forge his own life anywhere else. In terms of the first option, that was how the house of Orstein became nobility five generations prior when Gareth Orstein came from Miraheim and married a widowed Countess who bore for him a son and heir to the county, Cedric Orstein I. Regarding the second option, many second and later sons of the house of Orstein had chosen that route and had served the Lord of House Hawke and the Falcon King with valor and honor. Regarding the third option, this had been chosen a few times among the sons of House Orstein, most recently by Elric's uncle Edward who had undertaken a holy pilgrimage to find meaning in life and had eventually come to Palaven where he now serves the Church of the One. Regarding Elric's disposition to these options, the first was wholly unappealing to him - while Elric did hope to one day to get married, he had no aspirations of being nobility. The life of a nobleman, while certainly comfortable, involved far too many duties that simply did not suit Elric's personality. The third option likewise did not appeal to Elric. Elric was an adventurous man who had traveled to a few of the other kingdoms of Aerion in his youth, but Falke would always be his home, and he had no desire to simply wander through the kingdom until he found an appealing prospect. The second option was much more to Elric's liking as it allowed him to serve the kingdom that he loved, gave him a stable life, and offered the possibility of adventure. Therefore, at the age of sixteen, Elric left his home for the nearest garrison and enlisted in the Dragoons.
Qualifying for service in the Dragoons was no easy task, and many prospective soldiers didn't last one year through the training. Those that did last usually took four or more years to complete all the training and fitness requirements to finally qualify for service in the Dragoons. In fact, there had never been a candidate who qualified for the Dragoons at a younger age than 20 years. Therefore, it was quite a surprise when Elric, through much hard work and perseverance, donned the arms and armor of the Dragoons at the age of eighteen, just over two years after beginning the training. Elric's ambition did not stop there, however. He served faithfully in the Dragoons for the next twelve years, quickly ascending the ranks of the military branch until achieving the rank of High Dragoon in only ten years, a feat unheard of in the entire history of the Dragoons. Since the establishment of the Dragoons, no one had ever achieved the rank of High Dragoon in less than fifteen years, and no one had ever achieved the rank before age 40, yet Elric did both, to the amazement (and occasional jealousy) of all his comrades. Now, with the turmoil in Aerion and the prophecy of the Monks of Ekilore, Elric, with the blessings of Lord Hawke and King Highclaw, sets out for Ekilore to hear the prophecy of the Monks and do his part to save not only the kingdom of Falke, but all of Aerion. He has no idea what any of this may entail, but he is determined to do his part because if the people who love their land won't take a stand to save it, who will?
Weapon Preference: Elric is most skilled with his spear, a long, barb-headed pike, but will often start a fight using his bow and arrows until the enemy comes into spear range, at which point he will switch over to his spear.
Side: Knights of Ekilore

The World of Aerion

@TheLazarus Awesome! I should have mine up by this evening hopefully.

The World of Aerion

So at the moment, it looks like we have 3 Mercs, and 2 knights (including my characters) I'm trying to get at least one more knight character before we can begin, but others are more than welcome to join once the RP starts.

@TheLazarus

Does that include my WIP character (knight), or is that just already approved characters? I'm almost done with mine. I just need to finish up the personality, and I'll be done.

L'Mordryn Academy

Whoops. Forgot to tag @Artifex in the IC again.

L'Mordryn Academy

Alebard smiled as Silas mentioned the Culinary Club meeting coming up on the weekend. "You know it," he replied. "I've actually looked through some of the books in the library for recipes lately and found one for something called a cheesecake. It sounds interesting, so I think I'll try my hand at it. It's more complicated than anything I've ever done, though, so I might need a bit of help," he added as Silas finished his breakfast, then got up to get more. From their interactions in Culinary Club, Alebard knew how much Silas liked to eat, and he sometimes wondered how the slightly older boy wasn't overweight, at least not noticeably. When Silas got back and commented on Zalek's enthusiasm in his food, Alebard chuckled along with him and gave a joking smirk as he replied, "Not quite. You're just missing that draconic snout." Alebard had a habit of teasing his friends, especially when they walked right into such a situation as Silas had here, but he always made sure to give that joking smirk that let his friends know that he was just giving them a hard time and that he didn't mean anything bad by it. While it was true that Silas definitely ate with gusto, any human would be hard pressed to tear into their meal the way a dragon did, no matter how much that human liked to eat. Alebard, unlike Silas or Zalek, was a much slower eater, taking small bites of food at a time and chewing slowly, sometimes almost thoughtfully. Part of his philosophy when it came to food was that it ought to taste good, and it ought to be enjoyed. His philosophy also included more abstract, less clearly-defined concepts on such things as the proper balance between sweet, savory, spicy, and other flavors in a meal, and what the proper types of food and drink were for each meal, some of which was also influenced by his attendance at the Vitality Club, but none of that was relevant to the topic of discussion at hand.

Zalek finished his meat before Alebard was even halfway through his omelette. Seeing the unfinished breakfast, Zalek looked between the omelette and Alebard expectantly. Alebard sighed. "Don't give me that look," he said to the dragon. "You just had at least half your body weight in meat, you can't still be hungry." This was another of the games that Alebard and Zalek would play on an almost daily basis, but despite Alebard's protests, Zalek was quite good at breaking down Alebard into giving him at least one bite of his breakfast. On this particular morning, though, Alebard didn't seem to want to give in so easily. He continued to eat his omelette on his own until there was only about a quarter of it left, and that was when Zalek gave him the big puppy dog eyes and squeezed his belly in to make himself appear thinner. Alebard finally broke down and gave Zalek half the remainder of his omelette. Zalek hummed happily before digging into his share of Alebard's breakfast. "You are a tricky little bugger, you know that?" Alebard playfully teased as he scratched Zalek's head right between his horns. Zalek chuckled at his accomplishment as Alebard finished his food.

The World of Aerion

@TheLazarus Thanks! One more question, then: could people follow some sort of blend of multiple religions? I'm thinking of making my character believe in The One as being Vesmir and the Nine being sort of semi-divine beings, more like angels than actual gods (sort of like Illuvitar and the Valar from the Silmarillion, if that helps).

Also, do the monks of Ekilore adhere to any particular religion?

The World of Aerion

Working on my character (the High Dragoon to Lord Dunston Hawke (throwing that out there so no one else steals the idea ahead of me)), but could I get a bit more information on the religions of Aerion? You mention the Council of Nine and belief in The One in passing, but never what either religion actually believes, so I'd be interested in learning a bit more about that.

The Marauders (2018)

*barrel rolls*

Not sure what's going on, but figured I'd join in.